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 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
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 Life and Memoirs 
 
 WILLIAM WARREN 
 
 BOSTON'S Favorite Comedian. 
 
 WITH A hULL ACCOUNT OF HIS 
 
 Golden Jubilee. 
 
 Fifty Years of an Actor's Life. 
 
 Published by JAMES DALY, 155 Franklin Street.
 
 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28. 1882, 
 
 in celebration of the 
 
 50th ANNIVERSARY 
 
 of the adoption of the stage by 
 
 MR. WILLIAM WARREN. 
 
 Two Grand Performances ! 
 
 AFTERXOOX PERFORMANCE AT 2. 
 
 Dr. Pangloss, 
 Dick Dowlas, 
 Daniel Dowlas, . 
 Zekiel Homespun, 
 Mr. Steadfast, 
 Henry Moreland, 
 Kenrick, . 
 John, . 
 Waiter at " Blue Boar," 
 Waiter at Hotel, 
 Cicely Homespun, 
 Deborah Dowlas, 
 Caroline Dormer, 
 
 Mr. Wh.liam Warren 
 
 Mr. Charles Barron 
 
 Mr. Alfred Hudson 
 
 Mr. Geo. W. Wilson 
 
 Mr. Ja.mes Burrows 
 
 Mr. J. B. Mason 
 
 Mr. James Nolan 
 
 Mr. Fred P. Ham 
 
 Mr. J. S. Maffitt, Jr. 
 
 Mr. A. R. Whytal 
 
 Miss Annie Clarke 
 
 Mrs. J. R. Vincent 
 
 Miss NoRAH Bartlett 
 
 JKT- EVENING PERFORMANCE AT 7 3-4. 
 
 Sir Peter Teazle, 
 
 Charles Surface, 
 
 Joseph Surface, 
 
 Sir Oliver Surface, 
 
 Sir Benjamin Backbite, 
 
 Crabtree, . 
 
 Moses, 
 
 Careless (with song) , 
 
 Rowley, 
 
 Trip, 
 
 Sir Tobey, 
 
 Snake, 
 
 Sir Harry Bumper, 
 
 Servant to Lady Sneerwell, 
 
 Servant to Joseph Surface, 
 
 Lady Teazel. 
 
 Mrs. Candour, 
 
 Maria, 
 
 Lady Sneerwell, 
 
 Mr. William Warren 
 
 Mr. Charles Barron 
 
 Mr. Geo. R. Parks 
 
 Mr. Alfred Hudson 
 
 Mr. J. B. Mason 
 
 Mr, Geo. W. Wilson 
 
 Mr. Wm. Sey.mour 
 
 Mr. Geo. C. Boniface, Jr. 
 
 Mr. J. Burrows 
 
 Mr. J. Nolan 
 
 Mr. James R. Pitman 
 
 Mr. Fred P. Ham 
 
 , Mr. J. S. Maffitt, Jr. 
 
 Mr. Geo. H. Cohill 
 
 Mr. A. R. Whytal 
 
 Miss Annie Clarke 
 
 Mrs. J. R. Vincent 
 
 Miss NoRAH Bartlett 
 
 Miss Kate Ryan
 
 vy^..- 
 
 ■f 
 
 GOLDEN JUBILEE 
 
 OF 
 
 WILLIAM WARREN. 
 
 " A fellow of infinite jest, 
 Of most excellent fancy." 
 
 '' Take him for all in all, 
 We shall not look upon his like again." 
 
 FIFTY YE.-VRS AN ACTOR ! And today, Warren, in the 
 enjoyment of almost perfect health, with memory and 
 apprehension as keen and quick as when he first made his 
 bow behind the footlights so long ago, still enjoys the most 
 honorable pre-eminence in his profession. The great come- 
 dian in his dramatic creations today upon the Museum stage 
 gives evidence that he is in the plentitude of- his artistic power, 
 and offers the promise of yet a long career of histrionic triumphs 
 in his own loved Boston. 
 
 The esteem in which Mr. Warren is held by our best citizens 
 was shown in the letter he received not long since from Mr. 
 Thomas S. Appleton and Mr. Nathan Appleton, the brother-in- 
 law of Mr. Longfellow, Governor Long and others, requesting 
 him to sit for his picture and to accept of a complimentary benefit. 
 The actor could not refuse so heartfelt a tribute to his genius as 
 an actor and his worth as a citizen. lie named October 2Sth, 
 1882, as the date when he would be pleased to accept the ben- 
 efit, and expressed his willingness to give sittings to Mr. Fred. 
 P. Vinton. The picture is now completed and is one of the 
 
 i^id7:iB
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 artist's best efforts. It is a full-length oil painting, and repre- 
 sents the subject in his every-day dress. A desire was expressed 
 at first to have Mr. Warren painted as Sir Peter Teazle, or in 
 some other character in which he won his celebrity; but better 
 counsels at length prevailed, and our respected comedian will 
 go down to posterity in the habit in which he was best loved by 
 the Bostonians of his day — that of a modest, unassuming gentle- 
 man. A better artistic effect might be produced by the use of 
 a more brilliant costume; but we want William Warren the man, 
 not the actor. Not, however, that we love the player less, but 
 that we love the man more. 
 
 And speaking of Mr. Warren as an actor, what an incompar- 
 able artist he is ! He has all the finish of the French school, 
 with the feeling that is apt to be lost in academic training. His 
 playing is made up of delicate touches. His versatility is sur- 
 prising. In broad farce none have surpassed him in this 
 country. What happy nights we have spent in seeing him in 
 innumerable pieces by J. Madison Morton ! There are scores, 
 too, of afterpieces by other authors in which he is equally 
 happy, an J in English comedy where shall we find his superior? 
 In the comedies of Goldsmith, of Sheridan and of Boucicault, 
 his dramatic portraits are never to be forgotten, and he has the 
 true comedian's art of blending pathos and humor with that 
 touch of nature which makes the whole world kin. He is not 
 a one-part actor, but a cultured artist, who is great in some 
 parts and good in all that he attempts. A sense of reserved 
 power dignifies his every effort, and he avoids the mountebank's 
 tricks as carefully as if they were plague-spots, as indeed they 
 are in the performances of the many later-day comedians. 
 
 The close of the present theatrical season brings with it, with 
 the bare exception of a single season, the thirty-sixth continu- 
 ous year of the connection of the gentleman whose name 
 stands at the head of this article, with the Boston Museum.
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 And this, we dare say, is a longer connection with one theatrical 
 establishment than ever has been enjoyed by any one actor in 
 the whole history of the stage. It is a proud reflection, and 
 should be an enduring monument to the memory of the actor, 
 that that community, in so long honoring him, has been none 
 the less honored by him. It is a question if ever such a 
 dramatic favorite was known in our city as William Warren. 
 But it is not alone as the actor that Mr. Wairen is respected, 
 or that, long after he ceases to be a thing of life, his 
 memory will be cherished by young and old. He will be held 
 in kindly remembrance by every one whose good fortune it was 
 ever to have been associated with him, for his scholarly attain- 
 ments, his good citizenship, his social qualities, which are so 
 endearing, and the blamelessness of his gentle life. No person 
 ever connected with the stage has won more honors than Mr- 
 Warren, and of a verity no one has worn those honors with a 
 more becoming modesty. 
 
 So far as Mr. Warren's immediate family is concerned, he is 
 of the second generation of actors, and, besides himself, four of 
 his sisters have been prominent before the public : Hester, born 
 in 1810, whose tirst husband was a musician, by the name of 
 Willis, from whom she was separated, and afterwards became 
 the wife of Joseph Proctor. She died in Boston, on the 7th of 
 December, 1841, from a cold caught while performing in the 
 " Naiad Queen," at the National Theatre, under the manage- 
 ment of William Pelby. Anna, born in 1815, who married 
 Danford Marble, the famous Yankee comedian, in 1836, and 
 died in Cincinnati on the nth of March, 1872. Emma, who 
 had for her first husband a Mr. Price, and was subsequently 
 married to D. Ilanchet, with whom and her daughter Lizzie 
 Price, she may be remembered as forming a part of Edward L. 
 Davenport's company at the Howard Atlien^eum, in the season 
 of '59-'6o, and who died in New York, in May, 1S79. Mary
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 Ann, who married John B. Rice, an actor, who afterwards be- 
 came Mayor of Chicago, and if our memory does not play 
 treacherously with us, was sometime a member of Congress 
 from that city. Mrs. Rice is a widow and is still living. Henry, 
 an elder brother, was for years engaged in management in vari- 
 ous cities in New York State, and at other places, but we are 
 not sure as to whether or no he ever appeared as an actor. 
 
 WILLIAM WARREN THE JELDER, 
 
 the father of the subject of our sketch, was in his day an actor 
 of great note. He was born in Bath, in England, on the loth 
 of May, 1767. He was the son of a well-to-do cabinet maker, 
 and it was intended that he should follow in the footsteps of 
 his sire; but another destiny was in store for him. He early 
 evinced a love for the drama, and that love had every oppor- 
 tunity of being fostered, for in those days Bath, perhaps above 
 all other English cities and towns outside of Lpndon, was privi- 
 leged to see the finest acting by the best actors and actresses of 
 the realm. His love for the stage grew to a passion, so much 
 so that, unheeding parental desires and admonitions, in his 
 seventeenth year, in the town of Chippingham or Chipping- 
 Norton, some seven miles from the place of his nativity, he 
 made his first appearance as Young Norval, the hero of John 
 Home's now seldom-seen tragedy of " Douglas." He soon 
 achieved a reputation as a sterling comedian, and in due course 
 of time came to this country in the same ship with the famous 
 actress Anne Crunton. He arrived in New York in 1796, and 
 his first engagement was played in Baltimore. On the 5th of 
 November the same year he opened at the Chestnut-street 
 Theatre, Philadelphia, as Friar Laurence in " Romeo and 
 Juliet," and as the years passed on he succeeded to the lessee- 
 ship and management of the establishment. Philadelphia was 
 icade his permanent home, but his decease occurred in Balti-
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 more, October 19th, 1832. He had taken for his second wife, 
 August 15th, 1806, Mrs. Merry (nee Anne Brunton), who died 
 in child-bed in Alexandria, Va., on the 2Sth of June, 1808. 
 Some time after he took for his third wife a lady of New York, 
 Miss Esther Fortune (whose elder sister had been married to 
 the grandfather of the comedian Joseph Jefferson), and this 
 lady, on the 17th of November, 1812, gave birth to our inimit- 
 able actor, 
 
 WILLIAM WARREN THE YOUNGER, 
 
 at No. 12, now 712, Sanson Street, Philadelphia. Young War- 
 ren received an excellent education, and it was intended by his 
 father that he should be brought up to mercantile pursuits, and 
 in that calling he might have remained to the close of his life, 
 pursuing an honorable career, had not the straitened circum- 
 stances in which his mother and her children were placed by 
 the misfortunes and death of his father, led him to adopt the 
 stage as a permanent profession. A benefit was given to his 
 mother at the Arch-street Theatre, on the 27th of October, 
 1832, and on this occasion he made 
 
 HIS FIRST APPEARANCE 
 
 on the stage, as Young Norval, Junius Brutus Booth being an- 
 nounced to enact the part of Old Norval. Forty-eight years 
 previously his father had made his opening in the self-same 
 part. This might have been an intentional coincidence. From 
 all we can glean, young Warren, who was then verging on the 
 completion of his twentieth year, made a thorough and une- 
 quivocal success, not alone in the eyes of partial friends, but in 
 the estimation of competent critics. This success determined 
 him as to his future career; and so the peaceful pursuits of 
 trade were abandoned for the more exciting and certainly 
 more exacting life of an actor. For a few years Mr. War-
 
 8 
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 ren was engaged in the theatres in and around Philadelphia 
 and in the West, steadily, persistently, but surely carving 
 out his way to eminence. He was diligent in his studies, 
 and invariably chaste and correct in whatever part was 
 assigned him. His debut was made in a juvenile tragedy part, 
 but he soon developed into a most accomplished comedian. 
 He became a member of the company of which the father of 
 our Joseph Jefferson was the head, and which travelled through 
 the then remote regions of the West, acting in log houses, 
 rudely constructed court houses, in fact wherever a place in any 
 way suitable could be found, and on one occasion appearing in 
 a huge pork-packing establishment. Jefferson was the scene- 
 painter as well as the manager, and so the establishment could 
 boast of a good set of scenery, small in size, but quite effective, 
 and an excellent wardrobe. The list of plays included such 
 standard pieces as " Richard the Third," " Hamlet," " The Lady 
 of Lyons," then in its infancy, a number of old comedies, and 
 innumerable farces. All kinds of " business " fell to Warren's 
 lot, and he touched everything, from light comedy and juvenile 
 parts, to the broadest low comedy. The company in point of 
 numbers was a limited one, and when such a full play as " Rich- 
 ard the Third " was put up, " doubles " were as a matter of 
 course a necessity. On such an occasion Mr. Warren would 
 play Richmond in the fifth act, and in the earlier portions of 
 the tragedy would sustain three or four other parts. There was 
 much hardship experienced, especially in the winter seasons, 
 and much privation encountered in travelling in those then 
 sparsely settled regions; but money was made, and youth was at 
 the prow and pleasure at the helm. The work, moreover, was 
 of the greatest benefit to young Warren, and by it he was gain- 
 ing a large experience, and laying the foundations of an after 
 greatness. 
 
 His fame now began to spread, and during the season of
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 1841 he was engaged for New York, and made his appearance 
 at the Old Park Theatre as Gregory Grizzle in Benjamin Web- 
 ster's farce of " My Young Wife and Old Umbrella," in which 
 he made " a palpable hit," and at once established himself in 
 the good favor of his audience. From New York he accepted 
 an engagement in Buffalo at Rice's Eagle Theatre, and in this 
 and in other cities of the State of New York he remained until 
 
 1845, ^'i^^ broadening his capacities as an artist, adding materi- 
 ally to the number and value of his parts, and gaining distinc- 
 tion on all hands. In this latter year Mr. Warren made 
 
 A BRIEF VISIT TO ENGLAND, 
 
 and while in that country made a single appearance at the 
 Strand Theatre in London, the occasion being the benefit of 
 Mrs. Coleman Pope. He enacted the part of Con Gormley in 
 Logan's farce of " The Vermonter," with, we imagine, his 
 brother-in-law, Danford Marble, in his original part of Deuter- 
 onomy Dutiful. While abroad (his tour bein^ one of pleasure 
 rather than of business) Mr. Warren visited the most noted 
 places in England, paying, as a matter of CDjrsc, his devotions 
 at the shrine of Stratford-upon-Avon; am! he also made a 
 brief trip to Paris and the Continent. Returnmg to America in 
 
 1846, he was engaged by Messrs. «Iiackett & Ford, the lessees 
 of the new and present Howard Athenaeum, built on the site of 
 the old Millerite Tabernacle, which had been converted into 
 a theatre, and which was destroyed by lire after the close of the 
 performance (it was for the benefit of A. J. Phillips — the play 
 was " Pizzaro," with the celebrated teacher of boxing, John 
 Sheridan, as Rolla), on February 25th, 1846. The corner-stone 
 of the new theatre was laid on the following 4th of July, when 
 an address was delivered by Col. Isaac Hull Wright, now one 
 of our Street Commissioners. The mason work, including the 
 elaborate granite front, was completed in the brief space of
 
 lO 
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 thirty-two days, and in three months from the time of the laying 
 of the corner-stone the theatre was ready for the opening, 
 which took place on the 5th of October, 1846. The perform- 
 ance consisted of an opening address delivered by George 
 Vandenhoff, Sheridan's comedy, " The Rivals," and the musical 
 burletta, " The Chaste Salute." 
 
 MR. WARREN MADE HIS BOW 
 
 in the comedy, the cast of which we give : 
 
 Sir Anthony Absolute 
 Captain Absolute 
 Sir Lucius O'Trigger 
 Bob Acres 
 Falkland 
 
 Fag . 
 
 David 
 
 Lydia Languish 
 
 Julia . 
 
 Mrs. Malaprop 
 
 Lucy . 
 
 Maid . 
 
 W. H. Chippendale 
 
 J. H. Hall 
 
 . William Warren 
 
 . W. H. Crisp 
 
 . W. L. Ayling 
 
 J. J. Bradshaw 
 
 Charles H. Saunders 
 
 . Miss Mary Taylor 
 
 Miss Maywood 
 
 Mrs. Martha Maywood 
 
 Miss Hildreth 
 
 Mrs. Stone 
 
 It is related with regard to this appearance that the part of 
 Bob Acres, " Fighting Bob," belonged by right to Mr. Warren, 
 and in accordance with the terns of his engagement; but 
 Crisp, the leading man, who was originally cast for Sir Lucius 
 O'Trigger, expressed a desire to change parts with Mr. Warren. 
 The latter, in the kindness of his disposition, yielded, and so 
 the comedy was presented as above. Of this cast we feel safe 
 in saying that, with the single exception of Mr. Chippendale — 
 " Old Chip," who is still living in London — Mr. Warren is the 
 sole survivor. Mr. Warren's success was instantaneous, and 
 Mr. William W. Clapp in his " Record of the Boston Stage "
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 11 
 
 says : " No actor ever won the approbation of a Boston audi- 
 ence more rapidly than Mr. Warren." The dramatic season 
 proper continued until the 27th of February, 1847, a period of 
 about twenty weeks, and during that time we find Mr. Warren 
 sustaining, among others, such greatly diversified parts, and 
 giving us thereby a foretaste of 
 
 HIS WONDROUS VERSATILITY, 
 as Sam in " Raising the Wind;" Gregory Grizzle; the Gravedig- 
 ger in " Hamlet;" Jack Spraggs in " Look Before You Leap;" 
 Peter in " Romeo and Juliet;" Dogberry in " Much Ado About 
 Nothing;" the Mock Duke in "The Honeymoon;" Fathom in 
 "The Hunchback;" Grumio in " Katherine and Petruchio;" 
 Hector Timid in "The Dead Shot;" Jack in "Turning the 
 Tables;" Marrall in " A New Way to Pay Old Debts" — Junius 
 Brutus Booth as Sir Giles Overreach; Launcelot Gobbo in "The 
 Merchant of Venice;" Jacques Strop in "Robert Macaire;" 
 Major Sturgeon in "The Mayor of Garratt;" Dandle Dinmont 
 in "Guy Mannering;" Sir Ilarcourt Courtley, for the first time 
 in this city, for t^e benefit of W. H. Crisp; Puggs in " Shock- 
 ing Events;" Jerry Ominous in "A Thumping Legacy;" Crequet 
 in "The Devil in Paris;" Marquis de Rotundo in "Don Caesar 
 de Bazan;" Sam in " Perfection, or the Maid of Munster;" 
 Tom Tape in " Sketches in India;" Selim Pettibone in " A Kiss 
 in the Dark," and Sam Hobbs in " A Nabob for an Hour." 
 His first benefit in this city took place on the evening of the 
 22d of February, 1847, when he appeared in the three 
 farces of "A Kiss in the Dark," " Shocking Events," and " A 
 Cabinet Question," and on this occasion he had the aid of the 
 celebrated troupe of Viennese Children. The "Transcript," in 
 announcing this event, spoke of the beneficiary as "the best 
 comic actor in the country." His house, as might be expected 
 was an overwhelming one. Throughout this brief season the
 
 12 
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 press had nought but kindly notices for Mr. Warren, and if they 
 were not so elaborate and so searching as are the dramatic criti- 
 cisms of the present day, were nevertheless just as heartfelt. 
 On the second night of the season " Hamlet " was produced, 
 with George Vandenhoff as The Dane, and the subject of our 
 sketch as the First Gravedigger. Mr. Warren cut aloof from 
 a portion of the stock " business," and indulged in an innova- 
 tion, which a few days afterwards was thus humorously alluded 
 to in the columns of the " Post" : 
 
 " Degeneracy of the Drama. — The Gravedigger in * Hamlet ' 
 was played at the Howard the other night with only one waist- 
 coat." 
 
 The " Transcript," evidently not appreciating the fun of the 
 " Post," made comment as follows : — 
 
 " It has been the custom, from time immemorial, for the man 
 who plays the Gravedigger (the low comedy man of every 
 theatrical company), previous to entering upon the duties of his 
 office, to divest himself of an almost illimitable number of waist- 
 coats. Now whence this custom sprung, we know not, but 
 although it may gratify the groundlings, it cannot but make the 
 judicious grieve, for we very much doubt if the Gravedigger of 
 Shakespeare was ' to the manner born.' " 
 
 This innovation we look upon as a strong point in Mr. 
 Warren's favor, for it shows that even in that day he would not 
 descend to buffoonery, would not " o'erstep the modesty of 
 nature" for the sake of creating a laugh. All honor to him for 
 it. We find set down in the life of Edwin Booth, by his sister, 
 Mrs. Asia Booth Clarke, published by James R. Osgood & Co., 
 this statement, p. 121 : " Edwin began to travel with his father 
 on one of those periodical tours which it was customary for him 
 to make, and relates, as among the earhest of his theatrical 
 reminiscences, the first appearance in Boston of the now 
 famous William Warren. Mr. Booth, after his performance of
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 13 
 
 Shylock at the Howard AthencEum, seated himself with Edwin 
 among the audience to witness Mr. Warren's acting of Jacques 
 Strop in the play of ' Robert Macaire.' It was an exceptional 
 thing for him to make one of the auditory, but the debutant was 
 a favorite of his; he always manifested great interest in his 
 career, and seemed to be thoroughly pleased with his per- 
 formance on that evening." Now it will be seen by the record 
 above that Mr. Warren did 7ioi enact Jacques Strop on his first 
 appearance in Boston, and that the elder Booth was not acting 
 in this city at that time. Booth began his engagement at the 
 Howard on the evening of Monday, November 23d, appearing 
 in his stock opening piece, " Richard the Third." On Friday, 
 the 27th, Booth appeared as Shylock, and the afterpiece on that 
 night was " Robert Macaire," although it had been presented 
 for the first time the night previous. This must have been the 
 performance to which Mrs. Clarke refers, rather than to the 
 debut of Mr. Warren in this city. 
 
 Mr. Charles W. Hunt, a most excellent actor, had held the 
 position of leading comedian at the Museum for one or two 
 seasons, but owing to some misunderstanding left the establish- 
 ment. Mr. Warren was engaged to fill the gap. We well 
 remember the consternation of the frequenters of the Museum 
 at the time. " Warren will never do," was the cry on all hands. 
 " No man can be found to fill Hunt's shoes, and the Museum 
 ■will be sure to fail," said many others. Well, the opening of 
 the fifth season, the night of the 23d of August, 1S47, arrived, 
 and the curtain arose on Pocock's fine old comedy " Sweet- 
 hearts and Wives," which was presented with a cast which we 
 give in full, because it marks the commencement of another 
 and the greatest era in Mr. Warren's life : —
 
 14 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 Admiral Franklin W. H. Curtis 
 
 Charles Franklin ...... L. Mestayer 
 
 Sanford (his first appearance) . . , J. A. Smith 
 
 Mr. Curtis Mr. Bernard 
 
 Billy Lackaday (his first appearance) . William Warren 
 William ......... T. Joyce 
 
 George -J- Adams 
 
 Eugenia Mrs. A. Knight 
 
 Laura Mrs. J. W. Thoman 
 
 Mrs. Bell Mrs. Melville 
 
 Susan ........ Mrs. C. L. Stone 
 
 Of this cast, outside of Mr. Joseph Alfred Smith (one of the 
 best fops, and assuredly the best dresser — neat, tasteful and 
 correct — that we ever remember to have seen) and Mr. War- 
 ren's cousin, Mrs. Jacob W. Thoman (now Mrs. Saunders of 
 California), there is not one left to tell the tale. William H. 
 Curtis, a very fair but always a perfectly reliable actor, died here 
 in Boston some years since; Joseph Louis Mestayer died in New 
 York within a year or two; Bernard has also joined " the great 
 majority." After his connection with the Museum ceased, he 
 went to New York, was instrumental in getting up the American 
 Dramatic Fund Association, and was for years its secretary ; 
 Thomas Joyce, capital in certain peculiarly " hard parts," among 
 which might be instanced Humphrey Dobbins in " The Poor 
 Gentleman," and for years the costumer of the Museum, has 
 become " a thing of nought; " John Adams (son of old Captain 
 Sam Adams, of Boston watch and police fame, and as a vocalist 
 held in remembrance by the frequenters of the old Tremont 
 Theatre, who will never forget his glorious voice in " The Sun 
 is Up," from " Paris and London") died in this city on the third 
 of October, 1863, and his remains found a resting place in 
 Mount Auburn; Mrs. Knight, who, as Mrs. Thomas Hind, was a 
 member of the Globe Theatre company a few seasons back.
 
 AUitrtype: Forbes Co. 
 
 Sir Peter Teazle, 
 
 IN Tin: 
 
 SCHICOX. FOI^ SO^i^XD^L.
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 playing the old women, has gone to another and a better world; 
 Mrs. Melville's dust has long since mingled with its fellow earth; 
 and !Mrs. Christopher L. Stone has found a respite from all her 
 earthly cares and troubles. Their faults, whatever they might 
 have been, are forgotten; their virtues have ascended in fra- 
 grance to heaven. 
 
 The afterpiece was " My Young Wife and Old Umbrella," 
 with, of course, Mr. Warren as Gregory Grizzle. He was a 
 wonderful acquisition to the company, and in the preliminary 
 announcements of the opening, he was spoken of editorially in 
 the "Post" as "Mr. Warren, the highly fmished comedian;" 
 while the " Transcript " had it, that " Warren, that exquisite 
 comedian, is engaged for the season." 
 
 THK OTHER P.-VRTS PLAYED 
 
 by Mr. Warren during this his first season at the Museum, were 
 Jack Spraggs in " Look Before You Leap;" Paul Shaick in 
 "My Master's Rival;" Cheap John in "The Flowers of the 
 Forest;" Jerry Ominous in "A Thumping Legacy;" John 
 Downey in "Seemg Warren;" Jean Ruse in " Love's Sacrifice;" 
 Tom in "The Cabinet Question;" Tony Lumpkin in "She 
 Stoops to Conquer;" William Thompson, 2d, in "The Two 
 ITiompsons;" Fathom in "The Hunchback;" Pierre Palliot in 
 "The Follies of a Night;" Sir Harcourt Courtly in "London 
 Assurance;" Christopher Strop in " A Pleasant Neighbor;" Sir 
 Peter Teazle; Jacob Brag in " Make Your Wills;" Guy Good- 
 luck in "John Jones;" Pythias in " Damon and Pythias;" Mr. 
 Gilman in "The Happiest Day of My J^ife;" John Duck in 
 "The Jacobite;" Oliver Dobbs in "Agnes de Vere;" Adam 
 Brock in "Charles Twelfth;" Simon Sly in "Rural Felicity;" 
 Lawrence in "The Fate of Calais;" Monsieur la Folic in " Con- 
 founded Foreigners;" Launcelot in "The Merchant of Venice;" 
 Dan in "John Bull;" Narcissus Stubble in "Highways and
 
 i6 
 
 Fifiieih Anniversary. 
 
 Byways;" Stephen in "The Perfect Wife;" Sir Abel Handy in 
 " Speed the Plough;" The Gentleman in " A Lady and Gentle- 
 man in a Peculiar Perplexing Predicament;" Jotham Hook in 
 "Moll Pitcher;" Coddles in "The Bottle;" Ludovico in " The 
 Peasant Boy;" O'Callaghan in "His Last Legs;" Monsieur 
 Morbleau in "Monsieur Tonson;" Gregory Thimble well in 
 "The Tal'or of Tamworth;" Jesse Rural in "Old Heads and 
 Young Hearts;" Sir Bashful Constant in "The Way to Keep 
 Him;" Bullfrog in "The Rent Day;" Lord Mayor in " Richard 
 Third;" Dr. Lionel Lambkin in " My Cousin Lambkin;" Dick 
 Dumpy in " Uncle Sam, or a Nabob for an Hour;" Sir Adam 
 Contest in "The Wedding Day;" Ping-Sing in "The En- 
 chanted Horse;" John Box in " Box and Cox;" Isadore Farine 
 in "The Pride of the Market;" Tom Tinkle in "A Dream at 
 Sea;" Josiah in "Three Experiments of Living;" Gilbert 
 Bachelor in "The Lear of Private Life;" Simon Twiggs in 
 " The Soldier's Dream;" I-e Grande Jargon in "The Last of 
 the Kings;" Selim Pettibone in "A Kiss in the Dark;" Dr. 
 OUapod in "The Poor Gentleman;" Dominie Sebastian Starkoff 
 in "Maurice the Woodcutter;" Mr. Busyman in "The Mys- 
 teries of Oddfellowship;" Apollo Bajazette in " Isabelle, or 
 Woman's Life;" Dominique in " Deaf and Dumb;" John 
 Prettyjohn in " My Wife's Come;" Murtoch Delaney in "The 
 Irishman in London;" Voliante in " Joan of Arc;" Pithagorus 
 Sphoon in "Wilful Murder;" Paul Pry; John James Pooley in 
 "Young England;" Mr. Perkin in " Alive and Merry;" Zckiel 
 Homespun in "The Heir-at-Law;" La Fleur in "Animal 
 Magnetism;" Inkpen in "The Lady Cavalier;" Sampson Jones 
 in "Waiting for a Train;" Fixture in "A Roland for an 
 Oliver;" Admiral Kingston in "Naval Engagements;" Jacob 
 Earwig in "Boots at the Swan;" Marquis de Richeville in 
 "Grist to the Mill;" Sam Slap in "The Rake's Progress;" 
 Dennis O'Glib in "The Siamese Twins;" Marmaduke Magog
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 17 
 
 in "The Wreck Ashore;" and Morgan Rattler in "How to 
 Pay the Rent." 
 
 THE SIXTH SEASON 
 opened on the evening of Monday, August 14th, 1848, with 
 " The Poor Gentleman." The fresh parts played by Mr. War- 
 ren this season were : Marcel Margot in " 'Twas I ; " Dominie 
 Sampson in "Guy Mannering;" Mr. Lax in "Dearest Eliza- 
 beth;" Haversack in "Napoleon's Old Guard; " Michael 
 Brousky in " Pas de Fascination;" Natz Teick in " Swiss Cot- 
 tage;" Frank Oatland in " A Cure for the Heartache;" Baillie 
 Nicol Jarvie in " Rob Roy;" John Peter Pilncoddy in " Poor 
 Pillicoddy;" Lord Priory in " Wives as they Were and Maids 
 as they Are;" Sir Harry Beagle in "The Jealous Wife;" Sir 
 William Fondlove in " The Love Chase;" John Moody in "The 
 Provoked Husband;" Graves in "Money;" Flutter in "The 
 Belle's Stratagem;" Triptolemus ICrout in " The Lioness of the 
 North;" Peregrene Puggs in "Shocking Events;" Baron 
 Pumpernickle in "Love's Telegraph;" Bob Acres in "The 
 Rivals;" Simon Sparks in "The Milliner's Holiday;" Augus- 
 tus Fitzmortimer in "The Phantom Breakfast;" Timothy Quaint 
 in "The Soldier's Daughter;" L'Clair in "The Foundling of 
 the Forest;" Andrew in "The Warlock of the Glen;" Trudge 
 in "Inkle and Yarico;" Ephraim Smooth in "Wild Oats;" 
 Terrence O'Reilly in " Who Do They Take Me For; " John 
 Browdie in "Nicholas Nickleby;" Marrall in " A New Way to 
 Pay Old Debts;" Timothy Botch in "A Soldier, a Sailor, a 
 Tinker and a Tailor," Hans Ketzlcr in "The Housekeeper's 
 Daughter;" Toby Perch in " Old Honesty;" Jeremiah Trundle 
 in "Going to the Races;" Jacob Cray in " Old Job and Jacob 
 Gray;" Fogrum in "The Slave;" Baraby Bristles in " Lucky 
 Stars;" John Ginger in " The Thimble Rig;" Bumble in " Oli- 
 ver Twist;" Nicholas Dovetail in "Mischief Making;" Mr. 
 Golightiy in "Lend Me Five Shillings;" Slasher in "Slasher
 
 i8 
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 and Crasher;" Gregory in "Turn Out;" Mustapha in "The 
 Forty Thieves;" John Strong in " Your Life's in Danger;" Ben- 
 jamin Bowbell in "The Illustrious Stranger;" Caleb Quotem in 
 "The Review;" and Tristram Sappy in " As Deaf as a Post." 
 
 THE SEVENTH SEASON 
 
 of the Museum was opened on the evening of Monday, August 
 13th, 1849. During this season the new parts sustained by Mr. 
 Warren were as follows : Potterly Pevvitt in " Taken in and 
 Done For;" Hawbuck in " Town and Country;" Polonius in 
 "Hamlet;" Kilmalloch in "The Mountaineers;" Peter Pater- 
 noster in " John Dobbs;" Kent in " King Lear;" Adam Win- 
 terton in "The Iron Chest;" Titus Tallboy in " The Trumpeter's 
 Wedding;" Beau Shatterly (for the first time, Sept. 17th) in 
 "Married and Single;" Hannibal Fuzee (first time, Sept. 2ibt) 
 in the "Bold Dragoons;" Tom Chaff (first time, Oct. ist) in 
 "My Sister Kate;" Graves in "Money;" Touchstone, (first 
 time here, Oct. 5th) in "As You Like It;" Cobus Yerks in 
 "The Post of Honor;" Papoline in "The Sleeping Draught;" 
 Jack Cabbage in " Sudden Thoughts;" Sampson Jones in "The 
 Railroad Station;" Antony in "The Rival Valets;" Jacob Close 
 in " My Wife's Second Floor;" Squire Richard in "The Pro- 
 voked Husband;" Jacques in "The Honeymoon;" Mr. Simp- 
 son in "Simpson & Co.;" Bill Dowton in "The Drunkard;" 
 MacSwill in "The Vampire's Bride;" Chopin in "The Me- 
 chanic of Lyons " (first time in America Nov. 23d) ; Bartolo in 
 "The Wife;" Zyrtillo in "The Innkeeper of Abbeville;" 
 Crummy in " The Bookkeeper's Blunder," founded on the 
 Query "Who Pinned Chase's Coat Tail?" Bagatelle in "The 
 Poor Soldier;" Andrew Adz in " Michael Erie;" Felix Fumer 
 in "The Laughing tlyena;" Hugh Morgan in "Gwyneth 
 Vaughan;" Miramont in "The Elder Brother;" Papillon in 
 "The Liar;" Samson Low in "The Windmill;" Robert in
 
 Fiftieih Atuiiversarv. 
 
 19 
 
 " SLx Degrees of Crime;" Grandfather Whitehead (first time 
 January 28th, 1858); Jacques Strop; The Grandfather in 
 " Master Humphrey's Clock;" Galochard in "The King's Gar- 
 dener;" Cupidonin "The Enchanted Beauty " (produced for the 
 first time Monday evening, February 4th, and had seventy-five 
 representations); Solomon in "The Rose of Corbeil;" Mr. 
 Vox in "Margaret Langford;" Tom Tape in " Englishmen in 
 India;" Fluffy in " Mother and Child are Doing Well;" Mar- 
 tin in "The Maid and the Magpie;" and Dickory in "The 
 Spectre Bridegroom." 
 
 THE EIGHTH SEASON 
 
 commenced August 5th, 1850. The new parts in which we find 
 Mr. Warren this season were : Hans Moritz in " Somebody 
 Else;" Bobby Breakwindow in "The New Footman;" Horatio 
 Waggles in "Friend Waggles;" Donald in "The Falls of 
 Clyde;" Tommy Tadpole in "The Haunted Inn;" Lawyer 
 Endless in "No Song, no Supper;" Perky n Pyefinch in "The 
 King and I;" Peter Ramboullier in " The Last Dollar;" Bob 
 Ticket in "An Alarming Sacrifice;" Solomon in "The Stran- 
 ger;" FirstWitch in "Macbeth;" Laird Small in " The King of 
 the Commons;" Paul Pitapat; Gil Perez in " Love's Counter- 
 sign;" Alcibiades Blaque in "Gertrude's Cherries;" Pedro in 
 "Cinderella" (produced Nov. nth, 1850, and run seventy-two 
 times) ; O'Blarney in " My Friend in the Straps;" Mr. Thistle- 
 down in "Platonic Attachnients;" Beeswing in "The Daugh- 
 ter of the Stars;" Launcelot Banks in "Sent to the Tower;" 
 Mr. Newpenny m "Two in the Morning;" Dogberry in "Much 
 Ado About Nothing;" Mr. Mouser in "Betsey Baker ;" Grumio 
 in " Katherine and Petruchio;" Topach in "The Children of 
 Cyprus" (produced March 17th, 1851, and played seventy- jix 
 times) ; Kit Cockles in " The Boston Merchant and his Clei Rs ; " 
 Bristles in "The Farmer's Story;" Major Lankey in " Pills and
 
 20 
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 Powder ; " Gregory Goslington in " The Widow's Curse ; " Cousin 
 Joe in "The Rough Diamond;" Toby Tramp in "The Mummy;" 
 Capt. Copp in " Charles the Second;" Goliah Goth in "Allow 
 Me to y\pologize;" Mr. Bonassus in "Victorine;" Brioche in 
 "The Husband of My Heart;" and Toby Twinkle in "All that 
 Glitters is not Gold." 
 
 THE NINTH SEASON 
 opened on the evening of Monday, August 4th, 185 1, with 
 " The Heir-at-Law," Mr. Warren as Dr. Pangloss. The fresh 
 parts this season were : Mr. Creepmouse in " Retired from 
 Business ;" Grimshaw in " Grimshaw, Bagshaw and Bradshaw ;" 
 Jeremiah Goslin in "The Fire Eater;" James in "The Hypo- 
 chondriac;" Dust in "The House Dog;" Canuche in "The 
 Seven Castles, or the Powers of the Passions" (which had its 
 first representation November 3d, 1851, and was given some 
 thirty performances) ; Peter Spyke in "The Loan of a Lover;" 
 John Smith in "Nature's Nobleman;" Ephraim Jenkinson in 
 "The Vicar of Wakefield;" Nicholas in " Peggy Green;" Mr. 
 Bonnycastle in "The Two B onny castles ;" Von Grout in "The 
 King and the Deserter;" Count Torribio de Portobello in "A 
 Hopeless Passion;" Gen. Omelette in "The Sergeant's Wed- 
 ding;" Monsieur Vraiment in " Caught in His Own Trap;" Mr. 
 Dulcimer in " The Guardian Angel;" Jefferson Scattering Bat- 
 kins (first time Feb. 16th, 1852) in "The Silver Spoon ;" Mr. 
 Samuel Gosling in "Tender Precautions;" BuUwaden in "The 
 Enchanted Harp " (first produced March 8th, 1852, and had 
 sixty-nine performances) ; Von Dunder in " 'Twould Puzzle a 
 Conjurer;" Mr. Doublequill Bun in "An Organic Affection ;" 
 Pierrot Baptiste in "The Forest of Senart," and Mr. Pygmalion 
 Phibbs in " Done on Both Sides."
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary, 
 
 21 
 
 THE TENTH SEASON 
 
 commenced on August 9th, 1S52, with " The Poor Gentleman" 
 and " The Rough Diamond." Mr. Warren's new parts this 
 season were as follows: Mr. Smythe in "The Meddler;" 
 Tompkins Tipthorp in " \Vho Stole the Pocket Book; " Lissardo 
 in " The Wonder; " Tom Dibbles in " The Good for Nothing; " 
 Crequet in " Satan in Paris; " Sir Andrew Aguecheek in 
 "Twelfth Night; " Trappanti in "She Would and She Would 
 Not; " Ferguson Trotter in "The Writing on the Wall; " Guy 
 of the Gap in " The Rose of Ettrick Vale; " Penetrate Partyside 
 in "Uncle Tom's Cabin" (first produced Nov. 15th, 1852, and 
 which had an uninterrupted run of ten weeks, and one hundred 
 and seven performances in all) ; Box in " Box and Cox Married ; " 
 — on theoccasionof Mr. Warren's benefit, Feb. nth, 1853, his sis- 
 ter, Mrs. Rice, made her first and only appearance in the city as 
 Mrs. Turtle in " Hunting a Turtle; " — Paddington Green in 
 "The Woman I Adore; " Mr. Carraway in "The Jenkinses; " 
 John Buttercup in "The Phenomenon in a Smock Frock; " 
 Thomas Go-to-bed-Smith in " Go to Bed Tom; " Dennis O'Glib 
 in "The Siamese Twins;" Jean Jacques Francaise Antigone 
 Hypolite Frisac in " Paris and London; '" Mr. Samuel Snozzle 
 in "To Paris and Back for Five Pounds; " Oscar Baillard in 
 " Our New Lady's Maid;" Mr. Lilywhite in " Forty and Fifty;" 
 and Matty Marvellous in " The Miller's Maid." 
 
 THE ELEVENTH SEASON 
 
 opened Monday evening, August 8th, 1853, with "The Ileir- 
 at-Law." We find during this season the following as Mr. War- 
 ren's new representations : Orpheus Augustus Toots in " Rap- 
 pings and Table Turnings; " Mr. P. Postlewhaite in " A Desperate 
 Game; " Jeremy in "The Lady's Stratagem; *' Baron Von Kalb 
 in " Louise MuUer; " Mr. Middleman Higgins in " Extremes; "
 
 22 
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 Goldfinch in "Road to Ruin;" Ibrahim Mustapha in "The 
 Talisman " (produced Nov. 21st, and ran five weeks) ; Colin de 
 Trop in "The Somnambulist; " John Small in " The Two Buz- 
 zards; " Willibald in "The Bottle Imp;" Jacob Codling in 
 "The Last Man; " Dr. Lancelot Shee in a " Pretty Piece of 
 Business; " Monsieur Tourbilon in "To Parents and Guar- 
 dians; " The Infante Furibond in "The Invisible Prince;" 
 Diccon in "The Maid with the Milking Pail;" Michael 
 Browsky in "Pas de Fascination;" Job in " Cupid in a Con- 
 vent; " Ignatius Mulrooney in "Andy Blake;" Rouble in 
 "The Prima Donna;" Mr. Samuel Dabchick in "How to 
 Make Home Happy; " Simon Wigway in " Hot Corn; " Hector 
 Coco in " Val D'Andore; " Delph in " Family Jars; " Nobbier 
 in "Number One 'Round the Corner; " Wigler in " The Valet 
 de Sham; " Hickory Short in "The Governor's Wife; " and 
 Gustave de Grignon in " The Ladies' Battle." 
 
 THE TWELFTH SEASON 
 
 was commenced Monday evening, August 7th, 1854, with " All 
 that Glitters is not Gold" (Mr. Warren as Toby Twinkle) and 
 " The Phenomenon in a Smock Frock. " Mr. Warren's new parts 
 this season were : Mr. Trotter Southdown in "To Oblige Ben- 
 son; " Anthony Soskins in "The Moustache Movement; " Mr. 
 Christopher Quail in "Heads and Tails;" Baron Svvig-it-off- 
 Beeryin " Jennie Lind ; " Tom Tact in "Time Tries AH;" Pierre 
 Jt^ques in "Temptation;" Don Scipio di Pumpolino in "The 
 Queen's Husband;" Augustus in "The Willow Copse;" Jo- 
 siah Bounderby in " Hard Times ; " Mr. Richards in "As Like 
 as Two Peas;" Nicodemus Crowquill in "Peter Wilkins;" 
 Faithful Heartmore in "The Dream;" Sam Sampson in 
 "Bachelors' Buttons;" Job Wort in "A Blighted Being;" 
 Lord Leatherhead in "The Queensbury Fete; " Gnatbrain in 
 " Black-eyed Susan ; " Caleb Balderstone in " The Bride of Lam-
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 23 
 
 mermoor ; " Tobie Fracas in " Civilization ; " Ichabod Improveall 
 in " The Magic Mirror " (run five weeks); Charles Morton in 
 "The Revolutionary Soldier;" Hector Timid in " The Dead 
 Shot ; " Mr. Sowerby in " Tit for Tat ; " Doctor Rhododendron 
 in "A Game of Romps," and David in " The Bengal Tiger." 
 
 THE THIRTEENTH SEASON 
 opened on the evening of Monday, August 6th, 1855, with 
 " The Belle's Stratagem " and " The Two Buzzards." The new 
 parts assigned l\Ir. Warren were : Mr. Sparks in " The Milliner's 
 Holiday;" John Mildmay in " Still Waters Run Deep;" Greg- 
 ory in -'Turn Out;" Michonet in " Adrienne;" Hugo in " Val- 
 entine and Orson " (run seven weeks) ; John Plump in " Don't 
 Judge by Appearances;" Mr. A. Wylie in "The Bachelor of 
 Arts;" Mr. Sudden in "The Breach of Promise;" Mr. Plummy 
 in "How Stout You're Getting;" Job Fustian in " Charity's 
 Love ;" Count Toribu de Pompolo in " The Muleteer of 
 Toledo ;" Mustapha in the " Forty Thieves " (run six weeks) ; 
 Achilles Talma Dufard in " The First Night ;" Triplet in " Peg 
 Woffington;" and Dentatus Dotts in " Urgent Private Affairsl" 
 
 THE FOURTEENTH SEASON 
 
 opened August nth, 1856, with "The Poor Gentleman " and 
 " The Windmill." The new parts for which Mr. Warren was 
 cast this season embraced Michel in " Hortense, or The Pride 
 of Birth;" Jing Jolly-gong, in " Aladdin " (produced Monday, 
 Nov. 24th, "56, and run five weeks) ; Mr. Delmaine in " My 
 Husband's Mirror;" Count de Brissac in "Our Wife;" Haw- 
 buck in "Second Love;" Tom Baggs in " St. Mary's Eve;" 
 Uncle John in " Dred;" Mr. Coobiddy in " Hoops and Crino- 
 line ;" Enos Crumlet in " Neighbor Jackwood ;" and Don 
 Vicentio in " A Bold Stroke for a Husband " — not a very heavy 
 season for study.
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 THE FIFTEENTH SEASON 
 commenced with " Sweethearts and Wives " and " Poor Pilli- 
 coddy," on Monday evening, August loth, 1857. The new parts 
 of Mr. Warren this season were: Simon Box in "The House- 
 keeper;" Dandylion in " Ruth Oakley;" Barabas in "The Sea 
 of Ice;" Lavigne in "Therese, the Orphan of Geneva;" Bill 
 Ball in "The Liberty Tree;" Schnapps in "The Nymphs of the 
 Rhine" (better known as "The Naiad Queen"); Union Jack 
 in " Woman, her Love, her Faith, her Trials ;" Mr. Snuffleton 
 in "Brother Ben;" M. Desmerits in "Plot and Passion;" Tim 
 Moore in "The Irish Lion;" Ping Sing in "The Enchanted 
 Horse ;" Mr. Horatius Tittlebat in " An Uncommonly Awkward 
 Position;" Jerry Butters in "The Rich and Poor of Boston;" 
 John Forrester in "The Jewess;" Mr. Barnaby Bibbs in " A 
 Quiet Family;" Walter in "The Maid of Croissy;" Peter Von 
 Bummel in " The Flying Dutchman;" J. S. Batkins in " Batkins 
 at Home;" Bonus in "Laugh When You Can;" Peter Perch in 
 "The Crock of Gold;" and Mr. Jarvis Spike in "A Wedding 
 Present." 
 
 THE SIXTEENTH SEASON 
 
 opened Monday evening, August 9th, 1858, with " The Poor 
 Gentleman " and " The Rough Diamond." Mr. Warren's new 
 parts this season were: Crawley in "Gold;" Bob Acres in 
 "The Rivals;" Autolycus in " A Winter's Tale;" Hindbad in 
 "Sinbad the Sailor;" Asa Trenchnrd in " Our American Cou- 
 sin;" Cackelberry in "Thirty-three Ne.xt Birthday;" Fixture in 
 "A Roland for an Oliver;" Chiselby in " Senor Valiente;" 
 Lord Timothy Dexter; Our Cousin Peter; and Sir Solomon 
 Cynic in "The Young Heiress" (altered from, the old comedy 
 "TheWni"). 
 
 THE SEVENTEENTH SEASON 
 
 commenced Monday evening, August 15th, 1859. We find the 
 new parts of Mr. Warren to be this season : Pawkins in " Re-
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 tained for the Defence ;" Mr. Oscar Sheridan Brown in " I've 
 Written to Brown ;" Victor Dubois in " Ici on Parle Francais;" 
 Joseph Ironsides in " Nine Points of the Law ;" Cupidon in 
 " The Enchanted Beauty ;"' Baron de Beaupre in " A Husband 
 to Order;" Major Wellington de Boots Jh "Everybody's 
 Friend;" Caleb Plummer in "Dot;" Finesse in "Mesalli- 
 ance;" Lycurgus ^luddle in " Fast Men of the Olden Time;" 
 Shacabac in " Blue Beard ;" Dr. Boerhaave Botcherby in " The 
 Unequal Match;" Major Ira Warfield in "The Hidden Hand;" 
 Aminidab Sleek in "The Serious Family;" Jonathan Chick- 
 weed in " Nursey Chickweed ;" Mizzle in " Does Vour Mother 
 Know You're Out ;" Uncle Zachary Clinch in " Uncle Zachary." 
 During this season, on Saturday evening, November I2th, 1859, 
 Mr. Warren, in conjunction with Mrs. Julia Bennett Barrow, 
 appeared in a " Polyloquial Pastime, entitled Old Friends and 
 New Phases," written by John Brougham. 
 
 THE EIGHTEENTH SEASON 
 opened Monday evening, August 6th, i860, with " The Rivals " 
 and " My Young Wife and Old Umbrella." The new parts 
 this season were: Mr. Cornelius Popjoy in "A Race for a 
 Widow" (for the first time in America) ; Mr. Dimple, in " Leap 
 Year;" Fitzsmythe in "Fitzsmythe of Fitzsmythe Hall;" 
 Nicholas in " Secrets Worth Knowing ;" Mr. Jackeryin " Christ- 
 mas Boxes;" Perkyn Posthlewait in "The Three Cuckoos;" 
 Myles Na-Coppaleen in "The Colleen Bawn " (fifty-two con- 
 secutive performances); Pinchback in "Playing with I'ire ;" 
 Oliver Dobbs in " Agnes de Vere ;" The Laird o' Dumbiedikes 
 in " Jeanie Deans " (run four weeks) ; Master Caleb Good- 
 fellow in " The Miller of Whetstone ;" Timothy Jit in "Norah 
 Creina;" Samuel Pepys in "The Court and Stage;" Mr. Simon 
 Coobiddy in "An Ugly Customer;" John Wopps in "From 
 Information I Received ;" Captain Silas Jorgan in " A Message 
 from the Sea ;" Fanfaronade in " Belphegor, the Mountebank ;"
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 Rodney Rickets in "Hit Him, He Has no Friends;" Snobson 
 in "Fashion;" Monsieur Achille Bonbon in "The National 
 Guard;" Isadore Girodot in "The Cup and the Lip ; " Tangle 
 in "Loaves and Fishes;" Mr. Trevor in "A Hard Struggle;" 
 Augustus in " The Willow Copse ;" Father Barbeaud in " Fan- 
 chon ;" and Jeremiah Beetle in " The Babes in the Wood." 
 
 THE NINETEENTH SEASON 
 
 opened with " Men of the Day" (Mr. Warren as Robin Wild- 
 brier) and "Betsey Baker," on Monday evening, August 19th, 
 1861. Mr. Warren's other new parts during the season were: 
 Mr. Peter Dunducketty in " Dunducketty's Picnic;" Uncle 
 Robert Single in "Uncle Robert;" John Groundsel, in "My 
 Lord and My Lady;" Dr. Rouspack in "The Angel of Mid- 
 night;" Daniel Doddlewobble in "Off to the War;" Smashing- 
 ton Goit in the farce of the same name ; Joe Gargery in " Great 
 Expectations;" Jean Jacques Hyppolite Rouget in"Eudora;" 
 Benjamin Wiggles in " Brother Bill and Me ;" Michael Carrey 
 in " Pauvrette, or Under the Snow;" Uentatus Dotts in " The 
 Home Guard;" Plato Pottleton in "Don't Forget Your Opera 
 Glasses;" Salem Scudder in "The Octoroon" (four weeks); 
 Tom Leeman in "The Belle of the Season;" Muggieton 
 Muggs in "That Nose;" Mr. Henpecker in "The Terrible 
 Secret " (first time in America) , Brigadier Perod in " The 
 Circassienne ;" Doctor Wespe in the comedy of that name ; 
 Mr. Sweet in " Short and Sweet ;" Dabster in " The Eton Boy ;" 
 Justice Grout in " East Lynne," and Tubal Trott in the " Union 
 Boys of '62." 
 
 THE TWENTIETH SEASON 
 
 opened on Monday evening, August 25th, 1862, with " Men of 
 the Day" and "Dodging the Draft," Mr. Warren as Hannibal 
 Fusil. His other new parts were : Dr. Juni Lapham in " Down 
 South, or the Steel Casket;" Jabez Bunny in " Black Sheep;"
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 27 
 
 Lazy Job in " Abel Drake's Wife;" Roussel in " Jeannette, or 
 la Cretin de la Montagne ;" Timothy Poodle in " Poodle vs. St. 
 Bernard ;" Dick Stubbs in " Doing for the Best ;" Robert Grap- 
 ple in "Marrying for Money;" Bije in " Magnolia, the Plant- 
 er's Daughter" (run five weeks) ; Hector BallaWard in "Cross- 
 ing the Quicksands;" Judge Thornley in "Mrs. Walthrop's 
 Boarders;" Justice dbadiah Grout in "Edith, or the Earl's 
 Daughter;" Giaccomo in "Satanella;" Steve in "Aurora 
 Floyd ;" Baron Torribro du Pompolino in " Marriage by 
 Magic;" and Baxter Digges in " Port Royal." 
 
 THE TWENTY-FIRST SEASON 
 opened August 24th, 1863, with " Money " and " Cousin Joe." 
 The new parts to be added to Mr. Warren's list this season were 
 Tony Xettletop in " Love in a Maze;" the Marquis de la Roche- 
 peans in " Old Fogies;" Nicodemus Nobs in "Turn Him Out;" 
 Dogbrier in "Camilla's Husband;" Dick Trotter in "Janet 
 Pride;" Decimus Docket in " The Merry Widow;" and Bun- 
 berry Kobb in " Rosedale " (fifty-seven consecutive perform- 
 ances). On the iSth of June, 1864, Mr. Warren was announced 
 for a farewell benefit, when he appeared as Box, and Achille 
 Talma Dufard. He remained, however, until the close of the 
 season, July 4th. 
 
 THE TWENTY-SECOND SEASON 
 
 Mr. Warren severed his connection with the Museum, and 
 under Mr. Henry C. Jarrett's management, as chief of the War- 
 ren-Orton combination, made a successful starring tour of the 
 country, in such roles as that of Dr. Pangloss in " The Heir-at- 
 Law " and Jeremiah Beetle being especially acceptable The 
 other members of the organization were : Mr. Charles Barron, 
 for the past fifteen years the popular leading man of the Bos- 
 ton Museum; Miss Josie Orton, the wife of Mr. Benjamin E.
 
 28 
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 Woolf, the author of " The Mighty Dollar," and Miss Emily 
 Mestayer. But the Museum had become Mr. Warren's home, 
 and though had he chosen to accept stellar honors they would 
 have been showered upon him, he preferred to return and live 
 among his warm friends of Boston. Right royal was the greet 
 ing extended the comedian as he made his rentree on the Mu- 
 seum stage in "The Heir-at-Law;" never was an actor more 
 cordially welcomed, and never was friendship better exemplified. 
 
 THE TWE^fTY-THIRD SEASON 
 opened on the 24th of August, 1865, with "The Heir-at-Law" 
 (Warren as Pangloss) and "Turn Him Out." His new parts 
 throughout this season were: Mr. Tittunis in "The Steeple 
 Chase;" Mr. John Dibbits in " On the Sly;" Nils Fleming in 
 "Step by Step;" Rocket In "Settling Day;" Paul Pry in 
 "Paul Pry Married and Settled;" Iodine Gnuskoghl, M. D., in 
 " The Sons of the Cape " (fifty-one consecutive performances) ; 
 The Major in " Henry Dunbar;" Benjamin Blinker in " Lost in 
 London;" and Jeremiah Fluke in " Behind Time." 
 
 THE TWENTY-FOURTH SEASON 
 was opened Monday evening, August 13th, 1866, with "Town 
 and Country " and " Somebody Else." During the season Mr. 
 Warren appeared in the following new parts : Bob Buskin in 
 "Only a Clod;" Professor Brown in "Conscience Makes Cow- 
 ards;" Peterin "The Stranger;" Tom Stylus in "Society;" Mr. 
 Brittle Pipkin in " Pipkin's Rustic Retreat;" Barney O'Toole in 
 " Peep o' Day " (a four weeks' run) ; Jasper Pidgeon in " Meg's 
 Diversion;" Cicero Rabbits in "The White Boy;" John Want 
 in " The Frozen Deep " (run four weeks); Taraxicum Twitters 
 in " My Turn Next;" Jean Grignon in " Rocambole;" Pinkey- 
 wood in "What Shall We Do With It;" Genevoix in "The Old 
 Cockade;" and Saint Amant in " Hilda."
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 29 
 
 THE TWENTY-FIFTH SEASON 
 
 opened on August 19th, 1867, with " Men of the Day " and " My 
 Turn Next." This season Mr. Warren's new parts were : Mr. 
 Triptolemus Twitter in "A Slice of Luck; " Eccles in " Caste; " 
 Toby Allspice in "The Way to Get Married;" Floppin in 
 "A Dangerous Game;" Dennis Wayman in "Nobody's 
 Daughter; " Joey Ladle in " No Thoroughfare; " Dickey Dan- 
 delion in " Dandelion's Dodges; " and Moneypenny in "The 
 Long Strike." 
 
 THE TWENTY-SIXTH SEASON 
 
 opened with " Money" and " Poor Pillicoddy," on the 17th of 
 August, 1868. Mr. Warren's new parts were: Joe Wylie in 
 "Foul Play;" Montgomery Brown in "Time and the Hour;" 
 Mr. Simeon Schweinfleisch in "Surf;" Charley Spraggs in 
 "Blow for Blow;" Matthew Pincher in " Cyril's Success;" 
 Blaziten in "Flirtation;" Leon Bonnefoi in " A Victim of Cir- 
 cumstances;" Mr. John Hippy in "My Lady Clara;" Mr. 
 Nubby in " War to the Knife;" and Scroggins in "A Cup of 
 Tea." 
 
 THE TWENTY-SEVENTH SEASON 
 commenced Monday evening, August II th, 1869, with "London 
 Assurance." The new parts assigned to Mr. Warren during 
 this season were : Sam Winkle in "Checkmate;" Gaucher de 
 Lorisjuneau in " Birds of a Feather;" Monsieui de Lanorimire 
 in " A Marriageable Daughter;" Amadee Jovial in " The Lone 
 House on the Bridge of Notre Dame;" The O'Grady in " Arrah 
 Na Pogue " (an eight weeks' run); Dick DoUand in " Uncle 
 Dick's Darling;" Baron de Cambri in " Frou-Frou;" Mr. Frank 
 Eristowe in " The Prompter's Bo.x;" Monsieur de Pomerol in 
 "Fernande;" and Mr. Kerr Flamberry in "Central Park."
 
 30 
 
 Fiftiet]i, Anniversary. 
 
 THE TWENTY-EIGHTH SEASON 
 
 commenced on Monday, August 15th, 1870, with "The Ileir-at- 
 Law." The following were the new parts assigned to Mr. 
 Warren this season : Mr. Hunter in " New Men and Old Acres;" 
 Digby Grant in "The Two Roses;" Dunscombe-Dunscombe in 
 "M. P.;" Sir Patrick I undie in "Man and Wife;" and Cap- 
 tain Sound, R. N., in "War." 
 
 THE TWENTY-NINTH SEASON 
 
 was opened Monday, August 14th, 1.S71, with "Town and 
 Country." We find Mr. Warren's new parts to be : Tom Crankey 
 in "The Birth-place of Podgers;" Sadlove in " Elfie, or The 
 Cherry Tree Inn " (forty consecutive representations) ; Puffy in 
 " The Streets of New York " (a four weeks run) ; Nicodemus 
 Boffin in "Gold Dust;" Muggles in " Partners for Life;" and 
 Off-an-agan in " \'eteran." 
 
 THE THIRTIETH SEASON 
 commenced Mcn^ay evening, September 2d, 1872, with "The 
 School for Scandal." Mr. Warren's new parts this season were 
 as follows: Templeton Jitt, Esq., in "Divorce;" Corporal 
 Patrick in " Rachael the Reaper;" Mr. Lovibond in "The 
 Overland Route;" Gaillardin in " The Christmas Supper;" and 
 Jacques Faurel in " One Hundred Years Old." 
 
 THE THIRTY-FIRST SEASON 
 
 opened Monday evening, September ist, 1873, with " Divorce." 
 Mr. Warren's new parts : Simon Cornichet in " The Geneva 
 Cross " (a five weeks' run) ; Mr. Micawber in " Little Em'ly " 
 (a six weeks' run) ; Hector Placide in " Led Astray " (a six 
 weeks' run) ; and Capt. Ed'ard Cuttle in " Heart's Delight."
 
 Al>„,n,l,c: J.\,,l,t- (I 
 
 JEFFERSON SCATTERING BATKINS, 
 
 IS mm;
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 31 
 
 THE THIRTY-SECOND SEASON 
 commenced Monday evening, August 24th, 1874, with "Town 
 and Country.'.' The new parts of this season were : Herr Fritz 
 Schneider in"Mimi;" Daddy O'Dowd in the play of that 
 name (a four weeks' run); Benjamin Blinker in " Lost in Lon- 
 don" (a three weeks' run) ; Spotty in " The Lancashire Lass;" 
 Lutin in "The Wicked World;" and Dennis Bulgruddery in 
 "John Bui!." 
 
 THE THIRTY-THIRD SEASON 
 
 was opened Monday evening, August 23d, 1875, "^^^ "John 
 Bull." Mr. Warren's new parts were: Prof. Cadwallader in 
 " The Big Bonanza " (which ran five weeks) ; Moulinet in " Rose 
 Michel" (run for four weeks); Marecat in "Our Friends;" 
 Samuel Tottles in"Tottles;" Abel Siders in "Paul Revere;" 
 and Ebenezer Doolittle in " The Minute Man." 
 
 THE THIRTY-FOtniTH SEASON 
 
 opened on Monday evening, August 28th, 1876, with the first 
 representation in Boston of Sardou's " Ferreol," Mr. Warren as 
 Palamedes Perrisol. His other new parts were: Gartinet in 
 "Wanted a Divorce;" Paulo Baretti in "John Garth;" Levar- 
 dier in "Rose Marie;" Marquis de Very in " Vendome ; " In- 
 spector Bucket in " Poor Jo;" Hector Boisjoli in " The Double 
 Wedding;" Joe Grill in " Old Sailors;" Natt Harpin in " Maud 
 MuUer;" and Col. M. T. Elevator in "Our Boarding House" 
 (a four weeks' run). ^ 
 
 THE THIRTY-FIFTH SEASON 
 
 was inaugurated by a representation of "Divorce," on Mon- 
 day evening, August 27th, 1877. Mr. Warren's new parts 
 were for this season : Baby's Tutor in " Baby " (run for four 
 weeks) ; Antoine Fontenay in " The Sisters;" Major Gooseberry 
 in " Lemons, or Wedlock for Seven;" Hector Perrichon in
 
 32 
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 " Papa Perrichon ;" Dennis O'Rourke in " A Celebrated Case;" 
 and Saunders in " Harebell." 
 
 THE THIRTY-SIXTH SEASON 
 
 commenced Monday evening, August 26th, 1878, with the first 
 performance in this city of Sardou's "Diplomacy," Mr. Warren 
 as Lucien Fanrolle. The other new parts of this season were : 
 Dr. Primrose in " The Vicar of Wakefield " (a new version) ; 
 Herr Weigel in " My Son " (a five weeks" run) ; John Peerybingle 
 in " The Cricket on the Hearth;" Mr. Perkyn Middlewick in 
 " Our Boys;" and Uncle John in " Snowball." 
 
 THE THIRTY-SEVENTH SEASON 
 
 was opened on Monday, August 25th, 1879, with " The School 
 for Scandal." The new parts this season were : Chawles 
 Liquorfond in "A Fool and His Money;" Peponet in " Hum- 
 bugs;" Higgins in, " Dr. Clyde;" Hector PeyroUes in "The 
 Duke's Motto;" Josiah Clinch in "Our Girls;" and Father 
 Dolan in "The Shaughraun." 
 
 THE THIRTY'-EIGHTH SEASON 
 
 opened Saturday evening, August 28th, 1880, with "The School 
 for Scandal." Mr. Warren's new parts were : Doctor Dele- 
 hanty in " Sixes and Sevens;" Mr. Butterscotch in "The Guv- 
 'nor " (an eleven weeks' run) ; and David Deans in " Jeanie 
 Deans." 
 
 THE THIRTY-NINTH SEASON 
 
 opened on Monday, August 22d, 1881, with "The Rent Day" 
 and " Doing for the Best." During this season Mr. Warren 
 appears^i in but two new parts — Mr. Lambert Streyke in " The 
 Colonel," which ran for five weeks ; and Andrew in " The False 
 Friend." 
 
 THE FORTIETH SEASON 
 commenced Monday evening, August 21st, 1S82, with the 
 comedy of "Imprudence." Mr. Warren as Dalrymple, and as 
 Mr. Ledger in " The Parvenu."
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 ZZ 
 
 This record completes the list of pieces in which Mr. Warren 
 has appeared in this city during the thirty-six years in which he 
 has been identified with the Boston stage. It is a list unprece- 
 dented, and we look upon it with awe, when we take into con- 
 sideration the vast amount of mental strain that was required 
 to memorize so many and so opposite parts. It is a record of 
 which it can be safely said, that no other actor who lived ever 
 approached it. 
 
 For a period of thirty-sbc years has Mr. Warren been identi- 
 fied with the 
 
 FORTUNES OF THE MUSEUM, 
 
 and the greater share of the good luck which has invariably at- 
 tended this favorite resort is attributable to him. No actor was 
 ever more loyal to his manager, no actor ever more faithful to 
 his public. " He remained fixed and determined in principle, 
 in measure and in conduct." The writer of this article is only 
 too happy at being permitted the opportunity of expressing his 
 unbounded admiration of Mr. Warren as an actor, and to 
 repeat what he wrote some ten years since : 
 
 " As an actor Mr. Warren may be safely set down as the most 
 thorough and accomplished comedian on the American boards. 
 There are others who unquestionably excel him in certain 
 specialties, but for general range of what is technically known 
 as ' business,' he has today no equal. In all departments of the 
 comedian's peculiar sphere he is thoroughly at home. High 
 comedy and broad farce are equally within his grasp. Dialect 
 acting is one of his strongest points, and his dialect, as is the 
 case with most actors, is not confined to a single nationality, but 
 he is at home in French, Dutch, .Scotch, Irish, Yorkshire and 
 Yankee parts. Who that remembers the pathos of his Haver- 
 sack and Monsieur Tourbillon can ever forget the rollicking 
 humor of his O'Callaghan — characters which are as opposite as 
 the poles. In other pathetic parts, who does not call to mind 
 his Grandfather Whitehead and his Jesse Rural, and how admir- 
 ably do these contrast with the rich humor of his Dr. Pangloss, 
 his Dr. Ollapod, his Tony Lumpkin and his Dogberry. We were
 
 34 
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 ever of the opinion that in eccentric parts Mr. Warren was 
 superlative, and in this connection we may say that there is a 
 certain round of characters that he has created in this country, 
 in which he stands peerless. We refer to the heroes of the 
 remarkable series o farces written by J. Madison Morton, and 
 we have the judgment of competent English critics-to bear us 
 out in the assertion, that in their delineation, their original repre- 
 sentatives in London bore no comparison to Mr. Warren. In his 
 masterly portrayal of Box, Grimshaw, Golightly, Pillicoddy, 
 Puddyfoot, Slasher, Bonnycastle, and numerous' other parts, he 
 has a'forded pleasure to thousands upon thousands of our 
 citizens, and gained for himself a fame that is world-wide and 
 enduring." 
 
 William Winter, an authority ni all matters appertaining to the 
 stage, says in a note to his life of the JefTersons, that Mr. 
 Warren is " the finest Touchstone on the stage of this period — 
 grave, quaint and sadly thoughtful behind the smile and the 
 jest — an admirable Polonius, great in Sir Peter Teazle, and of 
 powers that range easily from Caleb Plummer to Eccles, and are 
 adequate to both extremes of com.ic eccentricity and melting 
 pathos, this comedian presents a shining exemplification of high 
 and versatile abilities worthily used, and brilliant laurels 
 modestly worn. 
 
 In artistic detail, we may add that Mr. Warren is consum- 
 mate; and in dress and make-up is ever complete, careful and 
 correct. 
 
 Mr. Warren has never been married, and it is a matter of 
 profound regret to reflect that there is 
 
 " No son of his succeeding " 
 on whose shoulders the mantle which he so gracefully wears 
 might fall. We can wonder that a man who loves domesticity 
 so much as Mr. Warren does, has never taken unto himself a 
 wife ; but there can be no doubt he has good reasons for re- 
 maining as he is, and these reasons are no concern of ours, or of 
 the public. This we will say, however, that he is a great favor-
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 35 
 
 ite with ladies, and he endears himself to them by his unvan'ing 
 courtesy, his delicate attentions, and many kindly acts. He is 
 the delight of those of his friends who are so fortunate as to 
 meet him in the retirement of his home. He is the life of the 
 company. He possesses an 
 
 UNCEASING FLOW OF WIT, 
 and is a most delici ous story-teller ; and his stories are the more 
 heartily relished from the quaint humor with which they are in- 
 vested, and the delectable dryness with which they are related. 
 As a general thing the acquaintances of actors are ephemeral. 
 Such, however, is not the case with Mr. Warren. His acquaint- 
 ances have grown into friends, and their friendships have be- 
 come steadfast and enduring. The pubhc is inclined to be a 
 very capricious creature, but it has never for a moment been 
 lukewarm in its love for William Warren. 
 In many respects it can be said that 
 
 THE LIFE OF MR. WARF.EM 
 has been an uneventful one. It has been in a great degree one 
 of calm repose. It is to be questioned if a more successful star 
 actor could be found in the country, had he seen proper to take 
 up that particular walk. But he preferred to " keep the noise- 
 less tenor of his way," and if he has not won victory in as many 
 different fields as hundreds of less gifted actors have done, his 
 triumphs have been to the full as great if not greater, and his 
 renown will to a certainty be more lasting, for it is implanted 
 deep in the affections of a warm-hearted and generous people, 
 who, from the youngest to the oldest, will cherish the fondest 
 recollections of him long after his bones shall have mouldered 
 into dust. Mr. Warren is a ripe scholar. He is a man of ex- 
 tensive reading, and fine literary culture, and he is especially 
 well versed in the modern authors of America, England, and 
 France.
 
 36 
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 The genius of Mr. Warren, allied to his blameless life and his 
 gentlemanly instincts, has been his 
 
 PASSPORT TO THE BEST SOCIETY, 
 
 and it is in appreciation of the sterling worth of the man that a 
 number of our best citizens have tendered him a complimentary 
 benefit, which is to take place at the Museum on Saturday after- 
 noon and evening, the 28th of October, and which will also be 
 in commemoration of the anniversary of his fiftieth year of con- 
 nection with the stage. The brilliant and cultivated audience 
 which will assemble on that occasion, and the warmth with 
 which he will be received, will be strongest testimony to the 
 estimation in which he is held by the entire community. 
 Mr. Warren has proved himself 
 
 A PUBLIC BENEFACTOR. 
 
 He has soothed many a weary and careworn mind, and has 
 brought sunshine to many an aching heart. On this account it 
 is not to be wondered at that the man as well as the actor is so 
 beloved. We can, in no more fitting words bring this article, 
 which is sadly inadequate in doing full justice to the subject, to 
 a close, than by quoting the sentences which Thackeray has 
 written on Charles Dickens, and which have been on at least one 
 occasion before applied to Mr. Warren : " We delight and won- 
 der at his genius ; we recognize in it — we speak with awe and 
 reverence — a commission from that Divine Beneficence, whose 
 blessed task we know it will one day be to wipe every tear from 
 every eye. Thankfully we take our share of the feast of love 
 and kindness, which this gentle and generous and charitable 
 soul has contributed to the happiness of the world. We take 
 and enjoy our share, and say a Benediction for the meal."
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 37 
 
 WILLIAM WARREN, 
 
 The Great Comedian's Golden Anniversary. 
 
 BOSTON'S TRIBUTE TO HER FAVORITE ACTOR. 
 
 The scene in the Boston Museum on Saturday was one 
 the remembrance of which all who were present will long 
 cherish. The doors were opened at one o'clock in the 
 afternoon, and the audience began to assemble immedi- 
 atel_v thereafter, and by two o'clock the theatre was well 
 filled. During the preliminary hour an orchestral concert 
 was given, under the direction of Mr. George Purdy. in 
 t\\& foyer, which had been transformed by Mr. Galvin into 
 a bower of vines, blossoms, tropical plants and ferns in 
 great profusion. In the inner lobby, at the foot of the 
 staircase leading to the balcony, displayed against a back- 
 ground of crimson drapery, and lighted from above by a 
 row of gas-jets, stood the full-length portrait of Mr. 
 Warren, painted by Mr. Frederick P. \'inton on the order 
 of a large number of Bostonians, who desire to retain in 
 this city for all time the counterfeit presentment of our 
 greatest comedian. It was seen and admired by the audi- 
 ence, who, in both the afternoon and evening, gathered 
 about it in throngs while on the way in or out of the
 
 38 
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 auditorium. The portrait is a remarkably fine one, and 
 the instinctive remark of liundreds, on seeing it for the 
 first time, was " How natural! " Mr. Warren is depicted 
 by the artist in walking costume, with overcoat thrown 
 open, gloves held loosely in the right hand, and the right 
 foot a little forward — an easy, natural and graceful pos- 
 ture. The face has the genial, kindly expression so 
 familiar to all who know the original, and the effect of 
 the picture, as it was set on this occasion, was that of a 
 gentleman greeting his guests. 
 
 The decorations in the auditorium were confined to the 
 front of the stage and the proscenium boxes. The or- 
 chestra was banished under the stage, and in the place 
 usually occupied by the leader's music-stand was set a 
 life-size bust of the comedian, the base wreathed in 
 vines, flowers and gorgeous-hued autumn leaves. The 
 stage-front was thickly hung with festoons of smilax, 
 dotted at close intevals with roses. Festoons of laurel 
 leaves depended in graceful curves over the box-fronts, 
 from the highest to the lowest, thickly interspersed with 
 camelias, calendulas, nasturtiums, poppies and sprays of 
 ivy. In front of the opening of each box, near the top, 
 was suspended a basket of roses. The effect was charm- 
 ing, the deep green of the leaves and the more lively 
 colors of the flowers gaining new beauties by contrast 
 with the mahogany and " old gold," which formed a rich 
 background. 
 
 THE AFTERNOON PERFORMANCE 
 
 was attended by an audience of a little over eleven hun. 
 dred persons, the ladies being in the majority. A more 
 brilliantly attired assemblage has rarely, if ever, been 
 seen at a matinee, and the long rows of private carriages
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 39 
 
 in front of the house indicated that it comprised a goodly 
 number of representatives of the wealth and fashion of 
 the city, as well as the more humble admirers of the come- 
 dian. The play was the " Heir-at-Law " of the younger 
 Coleman, and it Avas presented with a cast which will be 
 found on the second page. 
 
 The performance was one of rare and general excel- 
 lence, and its merits were thoroughly appreciated and 
 duly rewarded by the audience. Miss Clark's " Cicely," 
 Mr. Barron's "Dick Dowlas," Mr. Wilson's " Zekiel," 
 Mr. Hudson's " Daniel Dowlas," Miss Bartlett's " Caro- 
 line," and Mrs. Vincent's " Deborah Dowlas" were each 
 and all very good, and every one of the players seemed 
 to intend just such an artistic care and reserve as would 
 be appropriate to tlie anniversary. But the chief interest) 
 of course, was in Mr. Warren. On his first appearance 
 he was greeted with hearty and long sustained plaudits, 
 and it was several minutes before his admirers would 
 allow him to speak. He acknowledged the demonstration 
 with quiet dignity, and proceeded with his role in the 
 same admirable manner wliich lias hitherto characterized 
 his performance of this favorite part. He was again and 
 again applauded during the representation, and at the end 
 of the third act was called before the curtain. It was not 
 on the programme for him to make a speech until evening; 
 but the audience persisted in demanding it of him, and he 
 graciously yielded. In a voice tremulous with emotion, 
 he thus addressed his auditors : 
 
 Toadies and Gentlemen, — It is seldom that it is granted 
 to an actor to assist at the semi-centennial anniversay of 
 his first appearance on the stage. It is a part requiring 
 a great many long rehearsals, and only one performance. 
 [Laughter and applause.] I cannot flatter myself, ladies 
 and gentlemen, that this compliment is due to my humble
 
 40 
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 efforts to amuse you through a long series of years, but 
 rather that it is due to your generosity. I do not think any 
 reminiscences of mine would be very entertaining to you, 
 not being partial to ancient history [laughter], and I have 
 been so long used to appear on these boards as somebody 
 else, that it is not very congenial to me to stand here and 
 talk about myself, making, as the poet says, " himself to 
 stand the hero of his tale." [Applause.] I thank you 
 from the bottom of my heart. I have also some acknowl- 
 edgments to make to the committee of arrangements, to 
 Mr. Frederick P. Vinton, to the gentlemen of the press, to 
 the managers of this theatre, to the members' of the 
 Museum company, and to the many kind friends who 
 offered their services — Mr. Barnabee, among the first, 
 Edwin Booth, Lester Wallack, John McCullough, Joseph 
 Jefferson, and last, but not least, Miss Mary Anderson and 
 Mrs. Drew; but previous professional engagements pre- 
 vented their appearance. Now, thanking you for this and 
 the many, many past favors, which are registered where 
 every day I turn the leaf to read them, allow me to bid 
 you farewell. [Loud applause.] 
 
 This brief and appropriate address was received with 
 every demonstration of delight, and the speaker, laying 
 down the role of Warren, resumed that of " Dr. Pangloss," 
 and the play proceeded to the end, with success equalling 
 that attendant upon its earlier scenes. 
 
 THE EVEXIXG PERFORMANCE 
 
 attracted what was beyond question the finest audience 
 ever gathered within the Museum walls. The expressions 
 of its aftectionate admiration for Mr. Warren were made 
 with a vigor and directness that would have thrilled even 
 an indifterent spectator ; nothing — not one even of the 
 many rounds of applause — seemed in the least perfunc- 
 tory, and everywhere the glowing cheek, the moistened 
 eye and the tremulous hand told of the heartfelt signifi- 
 cance of the occasion. Prominent representatives of all
 
 Fiftieth Afitiiversary. 
 
 41 
 
 the learned professions — the clergy not accepted — were 
 notably numerous, and so were men and women of dis- 
 tinction in artistic, official and business circles, and the 
 world of fashion and society. The number of gray heads 
 in the assemblage was very striking to an onlooker from 
 the upper part of the house. With few exceptions, the 
 gentlemen were in evening dress, and, as for the toilettes 
 of the ladies, only a person versed in the mysteries of 
 feminine apparel is competent to describe the marvels in 
 design and material displayed on this occasion. The 
 term brilliant is really- inadequate to express the appear- 
 ance of this great gathering in honor of the comedian. 
 Every seat was filled, and every spot commanding a 
 view of any portion of the stage was occupied, there being 
 more than seventeen hundred persons in the house. The 
 play was Sheridan's " School for Scandal." The cast will 
 be found on the second page. Of the performance of this 
 play it is as needless to speak as it is of that of the after- 
 noon. The entire company appeared in it, and all the 
 principal members, notably Mr. Barron, Miss Clarke, 
 Mrs. Vincent and Mr. Wilson, were welcomed with ex- 
 ceeding cordiality as they made their entrances upon the 
 scene. All seemed inspired by the occasion, and the play 
 has never been given here better. Mr. Warren was 
 greeted with an enthusiam that was little short of frenzy. 
 Round after round of applause shook the very walls, dying 
 awav only to be renewed again and again with greater 
 vigor. It was many minutes before the recipient of this 
 grand ovation was permitted to speak, and, when at last 
 he uttered his opening lines, the tremor of his voice, 
 showed how deeply he was aftected by the reception. 
 Every line he spoke fell upon appreciative ears, every 
 h'ttle detail of the stage business, of which he is so perfect
 
 42 
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 a master, was watched with eager and admiring attention. 
 Not a point in the performance was missed, and not one 
 was made that did not receive the instant recognition of 
 applause or laughter. 
 
 Mr. Warren's " Sir Peter Teazle," though not more re- 
 markable than many another of his efforts in displaying 
 the height and variety of his powers, has such a wonder- 
 ful roundness, such faultless proportion, and such exquis- 
 ite finish that we are not disposed to question or regret 
 the general verdict which proclaims it to be his master- 
 piece. Mr. Warren's figure as he first enters upon 
 the scene with deliberate step, the anxious cast of his 
 strong, expressive face, the care-betokening bend of his 
 head, and the incomparable suit of pale green and gold, 
 together make a picture which most of us have neither 
 the wish nor the power to efface from our memories. And 
 as that picture rises before us, we hear again the quiet yet 
 intense delivery of the opening lines, whose mode of 
 utterance sets the key-note of the whole performance : 
 " When an old bachelor marries a young wife, what is he 
 to expect ? " 
 
 At the close of the " screen-scene," the demand for Mr. 
 
 Warren's return to the stage, which had up to this time 
 
 been ineffective, became too imperative to be resisted, and 
 
 he came forward to receive a greeting as hearty as that 
 
 which met him on his first entry. Coming forward, a 
 
 great wreath of laurel and oak leaves in gold, tied with 
 
 broad white satin ribbon, the gift of Mile. Rhea, was pre" 
 
 sented to him, beai-ing the following inscription in gilt 
 
 • 
 
 letters : — 
 
 "William Warren — Homage d'admiration, de respect et d'amour; 
 souvenir du 28 Octobre, 1882. Rhea.
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 4: 
 
 There were also a bed of exquisite flowers and a floral 
 horseshoe from Mr. Franklin S. Pratt, with the inscrip- 
 tion : — 
 
 " Here's good luck. From your friend and neighbor." 
 
 Amid renewed plaudits he gracefully acknowledged the 
 compliment, and then addressed the audience as ibllows : 
 
 Ladies and Gentleme)i, —Perhaps on such an occasion 
 as this I may be permitted to come nearer to you and ad- 
 dress you as patrons and friends. It may be a questionable 
 matter whether the fiftieth anniversary of the year of any 
 man's life should be a matter of congratulation rather 
 than perhaps one of sympathy or condolence. [Laughter 
 and applause.] You seem, however, most emphatically 
 to rank it with the former, and certainly I have no cause 
 to class it with the latter. To have lived in this city of 
 Boston happily for more than five-and-thirty years, en- 
 gaged in so good and successful a theatre as this, and 
 cheered always by your favor, and then to have that resi- 
 dence crowned by such an assemblage as I see before me, 
 is glory enough for one poor player. [Applause.] My 
 humble eflbrts have never gained for me any of the great 
 prizes of my profession until now, but failing to reach the 
 summit of "Parnassus, it is something to have found so 
 snug a nook in the mountain-side. [Applause.] I came 
 here to thank you, and I do thank you from the very 
 bottom of my heart. I have some grateful acknowledg- 
 ments to make to others, — to the gentlemen of the com- 
 mittee of arrangements as well as to those who presented 
 the painting by the artist; to the gentlemen of tiie press; 
 to the manager of this theatre, and the ladies and gentle- 
 men engaged in it. Also, I should name several distin- 
 guished volunteers — Mr. Barnabee, who was the first to 
 offer his services, Edwin Booth, Lester \\'allack, John 
 McCullough, Lawrence Barrett, and last, but not least, 
 Miss Mary Anderson and Mrs. John Drew. And now, 
 ladies and gentlemen, I wish that all present within the 
 sound of my voice may by some event in life be made as 
 hapjiy as you have made me to-day by tiiis e\ent in mine. 
 [Pvofongcd applause.]
 
 44 
 
 Fiftietli Anniversary. 
 
 " AULD LANG SYNE." 
 
 As Mr. Wan-en concluded, a chorus of fifty ladies and 
 gentlemen who had volunteered their services, and were 
 stationed behind the scenes unknown to him, began sing- 
 ing '• Auld Lang Syne," and the touching strains of the 
 song brought tears to not a few eyes, as the slowly de- 
 scending curtain hid the grand old actor from the view of 
 the audience. But the resumption of the play quickly 
 dispelled all sad and serious thoughts, and the theatre was 
 soon ringing again with laughter and applause. The per- 
 formance was of sustained excellence to the end, and the 
 audience waited to once more pay their respects to the 
 man in whose honor they had assembled. 
 
 The testimonial was a grand success in every depart- 
 ment, and the recipient and the committee are to be con- 
 gratulated upon it. 
 
 A " LOVING-CUP." 
 
 A pleasant surprise to Mr. Warren was the presenta- 
 tion to him, at his residence. No. 2 Bulfinch Place, of a 
 " loving-cup," a beautiful work of art, made of beaten 
 silver and lined with gold, and bearing the following in- 
 scription : 
 
 TO WILLIAM WARREN, 
 
 On the Completion of his Fiftieth Year on the Stage. 
 
 October 27, 18S2. 
 
 From Joseph Jefferson, Edwin Booth, Mary Anderson, John 
 
 MCCULLOUGH AND LaWRENCE BaRRETT. 
 
 The committee which had charge of the gift included 
 Mr. William Winter of the New York "Tribune," Mr. 
 James R. Osgood, Capt. Nathan Appleton, Mr. F. P. Vin-
 
 FiflietJi Anniversary. 
 
 45 
 
 ton, the artist, Manager R. M. Field and Mr. T. R. Sulli- 
 van. The presentation speech was made by Mr. Winter, 
 the bearer of the cup, who^was even move felicitous than 
 his usual speeches on social occasions, 
 stance, as follows : 
 
 He said, in sub- 
 
 My Dear Mr. Warreti, — It is our desire that the cere- 
 monial for which we now ask your attention, while it fore- 
 sees all the earnestness appropriate to a manifestation of 
 affectionate friendship, shall not be embarrassed bv even 
 the slightest tinge of painful formality. For this reason 
 •we have sought you in your home, instead of accosting 
 you upon the stage, amid the festivities of this brilliant 
 and auspicious day. 
 
 Your friends in Boston (which is equivalent to saying 
 Boston itself) have had a golden opportunity, and have 
 improved it in a glorious manner, of expressing their per- 
 sonal good-will, their esteem for your character, their ap- 
 preciation of our achievements, and their just and natural 
 pride In your renown. It is no common triumph to have 
 gained such a reputation as yours in such a citv as Boston. 
 But the fame of your genius and the knowledge of your 
 deeds and virtues are not confined to the city of your resi- 
 dence. A great actor belongs to the nation and to the 
 age. In every theatre in the United States, and at thou- 
 sands of hearthstones, alike in your own country and in 
 the lovely motherland beyond the sea — where your line 
 was so honorably and famously guarded — your name, to- 
 night, has been spoken with tender respect and unaffected 
 homage. 
 
 In order that you may be reminded of this, and may be 
 cheered, not alone with present plaudits, but with happy 
 remembrance of the absent friends who are thinking of 
 you now, I have been commissioned by five of the leading 
 members of your profession — Joseph Jefferson, Edwin 
 Booth, Mary Anderson, Lawn;nce Barrett and John McCul- 
 lough — to come into your presence, and in their names, 
 and with fervent assurances of keen affection and sympa- 
 thy, to beg your acceptance of this loving-cup, which is 
 their gift. It is less i)right than their friendship; it is
 
 46 
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 less permanent than their sense of jour worth and their 
 esteem for your virtues. Accept it, sir, witli all that it 
 denotes, of joj in the triumph of the actor, and of pride 
 in the gentle, loving, blameless character and life of the 
 man. 
 
 The roses have £ver been esteemed the pledges and 
 emblems of faithfm care. In the name of join- absent 
 friends, in the name of the thousands whom in time past 
 you have delighted and cheered, in the name of your com- 
 rades of the Boston Museum, with whom you have been 
 so long and so pleasantly associated, and finally, in the 
 name of the friends now clustered around you in affection 
 and gladness, I cast these roses at your feet; and I am 
 bold enough, presuming on your patience, and remem- 
 bering the many years through which we have been 
 friends, to add my own general tribute in the lines 
 which I now read : 
 
 STANZAS IN HONOR OF WILLIAM WARREN. 
 
 October 28, 1S82. 
 
 Red globes of autumn strew the sod, 
 
 The bannered woods wear crimson shields, 
 The aster and the golden-rod 
 Deck all the fields. 
 
 No clarion blast, at morning blown, 
 
 Should greet the way-worn veteran here. 
 Nor roll of drums nor trumpet-tone 
 Assail his ear. 
 
 No jewelled ensigns now should smite, 
 
 With jarring flash, down emerald steeps, 
 Where sweetly in the sunset light 
 The valley sleeps. 
 
 No bolder ray should bathe this bower 
 
 Than when, above the glimmering stream, 
 The crescent moon, in twilight's hour, 
 First sheds her beam.
 
 Aihtitltfitb. FuihGtt C'w 
 
 Jefferson scattering Batkins, 
 
 IS nil, 
 •S,I IA'I-:i\' ^^l '0( )N."
 
 Fijlielh Anniversary. 
 
 47 
 
 Xo ruder note should break the thrall, 
 
 That love, and peace, and honor weave. 
 Than some lone wild-bird's gentle call 
 At summer eve. 
 
 But here should float the voice of song — 
 
 Like evening wind in autumn leaves, 
 Sweet with the balm they waft along 
 From golden sheaves. 
 
 The sacreil Past should feel its spell. 
 
 And here should murmur, soft and low, 
 The voices that he loved so well. 
 Long, Long ago. 
 
 The vanished scenes should give to this 
 
 The cherished forms of other days, 
 And rosy lips, that felt his kiss, 
 Breathe out his praise. 
 
 The comrades of his young renown 
 
 Should proudly throng around him now, 
 When falls the spotless laurel-crown 
 Upon his brow. 
 
 Not in their clamorous shouts who make 
 
 The noonday pomp of glory's lord 
 Does the true soul of manhood take 
 Its high reward. 
 
 But when from all the glimmering years 
 
 Beneath the moonlight of the past 
 The strong and tender spirit hears 
 " Well done," at last. 
 
 When love looks forth from heavenly eyes 
 
 And heavenly voices make acclaim, 
 And all his deeds of kindness rise 
 To bless his name ; 
 
 When all that has been sweetly blends 
 
 With all that is, and both revere 
 The life so lovely in its ends, 
 So pure, so dcnr ;
 
 48 
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 Then leaps indeed the golden flame 
 
 Of blissful pride to rapture's brim — 
 The fire that sacramental fame 
 Has lit for him ? 
 
 For him who, lord of joy and woe, 
 
 Through half a century's snow-white years 
 Has gently ruled, in humor's glow. 
 The fount of tears. 
 
 True, simple, earnest, patient, kind. 
 
 Through griefs that many a weaker will 
 Had stricken dead, his noble mind 
 Was constant still. 
 
 Sweet, tender, playful, thoughtful, droll, 
 
 His gentle genius still has made 
 Mirth's perfect sunshine in the soul. 
 And Pity's shade. 
 
 With amaranths of eternal spring 
 
 Be all his life's calm evening drest, 
 While summerwinds around him sing 
 The songs of rest ! 
 
 And thou, O Memory, strange and dread, 
 
 That stand'st on heaven's ascending slope, 
 Lay softly on his reverent head 
 The wreath of Hope ! 
 
 So softly, when the port he wins, 
 
 Toward which life's happiest breezes blow, 
 That where earth ends and heaven begins 
 He shall not know. 
 
 William Winter. 
 
 Mr. Warren was much affected by this tribute from his 
 fellow-artists, and the address and poem of its gifted 
 bearer. He responded, with emotion, in fitting terms, 
 and appropriate remarks were made by the gentlemen of 
 the committee.
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 49 
 
 A REMEMBRANCE FROM THE BOSTOX. 
 
 A very elegant and costly silver vase, inscribed 
 
 PRESENTED TO 
 
 WILLIAM WARREN, 
 
 By the Boston Theatre Company, 
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary, 
 
 Oct. 28, 1882, 
 
 was another surprise which awaited the actor at the termi- 
 nation of the performance. This gift was accompanied by 
 the following letter: 
 
 Boston, Oct. 28, 1882. 
 Mr. Williavi Warren, Boston Museum, — Dear Sir: We, the under- 
 signed, members of the Boston Theatre Company, desiring to show our 
 interest in the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of your appearance on 
 the stage, beg you will accept the accompanying as a slight mark of our 
 respect and esteem. 
 
 Orlando Tompkins, 
 Eugene Tompkins, 
 L. J. McCarthy, 
 Napier Lothian, 
 William Redmund, 
 
 D. J. Maguinnis, 
 Frazer Coulter, 
 
 E. A. Eberle, 
 J. T. Craven, 
 S. E. Springer, 
 E. Y. Backus, 
 Charles Kent, 
 
 Ncble H. Hill, 
 H. A.M'Glenen, 
 Napier Lothian, Jr., 
 Mrs. Thomas Barry, 
 Miss Rachel Noah, 
 Miss Louise Malderne, 
 Mrs. E. A. Eberle, 
 Miss Grace Thome, 
 Miss Ella Mayer, 
 Miss Rosa France, 
 H. E. Chase, 
 D. J. Sullivan, 
 
 J.W.Taylor. 
 CONGRATULATIONS. 
 
 Mr. Warren has received, since the testimonial was an- 
 nounced, letters from friends in and out of the profession, 
 sufficient, if printed, to make a volume almost the size of 
 Webster Unaliridged. With a delicacy which does him 
 honor, he holds these as sacred from the public, conlidcn- 
 tial between writer and receiver. Yesterday congratulatory
 
 50 
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 telegrams showered upon him from all parts of the country 
 and from across the ocean. Some of these, being of a less 
 confidential nature than the letters, he has permitted to be 
 printed, and thev are appended : 
 
 New York, Oct. 28, 1882. 
 To William JVafreu, Boston Museum, Boston, Mass. — My loving 
 congratulations. May you live long and prosper. J. Jefferson. 
 
 Hull, England, Oct. 28, 1882. 
 William Warren, Musemn, Boston, — Cordial congratulations. Love 
 and best wishes. Edwin Booth. 
 
 Montreal, Que., Oct. 27, 1S82. 
 Willtain Warren, Mtiseuin, Boston, — Your fifty years of honorable 
 service have been a blessing to the world and a lasting legacy to our glorious 
 art. May you be spared in health for many more years of service and the 
 happiness of your friends. Lawrence Barrett, 
 
 .St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 28, 1882. 
 William Warren, Museum, Boston, — Greetings from John McCuI- 
 lough, his manager and entire company ; and no man here but honors you' 
 and every one " doth wish you had but that opinion of yourself that every 
 noble Roman bears of you." John McCullough. 
 
 New York, Oct. 28, 1882. 
 William Warren, Museum, Boston,— \ wish you much success today, 
 and many years of happiness in the future. Harry Edwards. 
 
 New York, Oct. 28, 1882. 
 William Warren, Museum, Boston, — Accept my sincere congratula- 
 tions. May you be spared for many years to honor a profession that honors 
 you. John T. Raymond. 
 
 London, Oct. 28, 1882. 
 William Warren, Museum, iJcii/o;/,— Congratulations. 
 
 John S. Clarke. 
 
 Baltimore, Md., Oct. 28, 1882. 
 William Warren, Museum, Boston, — Sincerest congratulations on the 
 semi-centennial anniversary of your honored histrionic life. May good di- 
 gestion wait on appetite and health on both for many years to come. Ever 
 truly, your old friend, Joseph Proctor. 
 
 London, Oct. 28, 1882. 
 William Warren, Museum, Boston,— Loving regards. Best wishes for 
 long life and happiness. John L. Toole.
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 51 
 
 Buffalo, N. Y., Oct. 28, 1882. 
 William Warren, Mitseum, Boston,— Y^tgremng the enforced absence 
 which prevents my presence in front today to assist in the honors which await 
 you, I tender my heartiest congratulations and best wishes for continued 
 health, happiness and prosperity. H. C. Barnabee. 
 
 CiNXINNATI, O., Oct. 27, 1882. 
 William Warren, Museum, Boston, — Congratulations upon your at- 
 taining the well-rounded golden period. From your quarter-century 
 friend. William Henry Davis. 
 
 Jackson, Mich., Oct. 27, 18S2. 
 William Warren, Museum, Boston,— A.ccc^X heartiest congratulations- 
 Would like to participate on this occasion. Ada Gilman. 
 
 St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 27, 1882. 
 William Warren, Museum, Boston,— 'Love and congratulations to art 
 and artist on the anniversarj' of their golden wedding. 
 
 Augusta A. Foster. 
 
 New York, Oct. 28, 1882. 
 William Warren, Mitseum, Boston, — Congratulations and best wishes 
 for very many happy years in the future. Maurice Strafford. 
 
 A LAST WORD. 
 
 In our final word we trust that we shall not go bevond 
 permitted limits; but the word must be said. As the 
 great audience breathlessly listened to Mr. Warren's even- 
 ing address, it was plain to see that they found in the 
 gracious refinement of his manner, and in the simple sin- 
 cerity of his tone and words, much more than the skill of 
 the pla^-er. The judgment of that moment is indeed the 
 enduring conviction of our citizens. In and through and 
 above the artist, they recognize the true, the gentle, the 
 honorable man. And, much as they esteem his high 
 professional skill, even more do they cherish his absolute 
 modesty, his unstinted, self-sacrificing kindness, his 
 superiority to every form of meanness and envy. Such 
 art and such a life should always go together, sustaining.
 
 5^ 
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 inspiring, perfecting each other. In his period of maturity 
 Mr. Warren is reaping the harvest of what he has wisely 
 sown and faithfully tilled. But that period is itself the 
 time for the ripening of the later and sweeter fruit. For 
 his own sake, and for the sake of us all may it prove to 
 be so with him. 
 
 " For age is opportunity, no less 
 Than youth itself, though in another dress, 
 And as the evening twilight fades away, 
 The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day." 
 
 WILLIAM WARREN. 
 (Died Sept. 21st, 1888.) 
 
 If aught of Genius ever dies. 
 
 If aught that God hath given 
 To minister to mortal eyes. 
 
 Reflections caught from heaven. 
 
 Then might the heart its selfish plaint 
 
 Pour forth in mournful lay. 
 And jealous grief its Idol paint 
 
 As more than mortal clay. 
 
 But prescient faith, with undimmed eyes 
 
 When earthly ties are riven, 
 Behold a new star in the skies, 
 
 A new Saint shrined in heaven. 
 
 Oh thou, the latest peerless gem 
 Plucked from the brow of day 
 
 To garnish history's diadem. 
 With pure and quenchless ray. 
 
 Shall tears be shed for such as thou ; 
 
 The long, triumphant years. 
 That twined their laurels round thy brow ; 
 
 Have left no cause for tears. 
 
 Thy lustrous Star, with light sublime, 
 
 In heaven will shine serene ; 
 Thy laurels for all coming time 
 
 Will bloom forever green. 
 
 Geo. H. Young-
 
 Life and Revihiiscences. 
 
 53 
 
 William Warren Dead. 
 
 BOSTON'S VETERAN COMEDIAN 
 PASSES QUIETLY AWAY. 
 
 A Long and Brilliant Record Closed Forever. 
 
 Rambling Reminiscences of an Interesting 
 
 Career. 
 
 William Warren, the eminent comedian, died at his 
 home, 2 Bulfinch Place, very peacefully. He was uncon- 
 scious to the last, as he has heen for many days. His 
 death was a painless one, and he was surrounded by his 
 relatives and friends when the final summons came. At 
 the bedside of the dying actor were his sister, Mrs. J. B. 
 Rice, his nieces, Mrs. George L. Dunlap, Mrs. Orson 
 Smith, Miss Marble and Miss Fisher, at whose house Mr. 
 Warren had resided for many years. His death, says Mrs. 
 Dunlap, was very peaceful. He passed awa^' as if falling 
 into a calm and restful sleep. He was not conscious of 
 their presence. For several days he had not recognized 
 any one, and for a week his final sleep was looked for at 
 most any liour.
 
 54 
 
 Williatn Warren. 
 
 Dr. William Ingalls of No. 558 Tremont Street, was the 
 attendant physician, and when asked regarding the cause 
 of Mr. Warren's death, said: " Mr. Warren has ended his 
 life from disease of the brain." Yok the past six days he 
 has been very nearly in the same condition night and day. 
 He has had the best and kindest care in every particular. 
 His life has been prolonged during that time by assidu- 
 ously giving him proper nourishment. The house was kept 
 quiet, and it was the desire that there should be an atmos- 
 phere of hopefulness and peace. Had there been the 
 turmoil of a constant round of callers, as has been the case 
 with many prominent men. his death would, without 
 doubt, have occurred ten days sooner. To make a definite 
 statement of the disease, Dr. Ingalls said he could not do. 
 Old age was in part an unlavorable element. 
 
 By the the death of William Warren the dramatic 
 profession not only loses one of its most honored and 
 most distinguished men — a man whose creditable career 
 has added many a glorious page to the record of the 
 stage in this country — but Boston has lost a beloved 
 adopted son for whom she may well mourn ; an honora- 
 ble citizen and a true artist, who for 35 years contributed 
 no small share to the maintenance of her supremacy in 
 the world of dramatic art. Judged by the verj' highest 
 canons of dramatic criticism, Mr. Warren was a great 
 actor. Estimated by those standards which man ap- 
 plies to man, his worth was great, indeed. As an artist, 
 he was true to all that is best, purest and noblest in his 
 art, respected for his loftiness and purity of purpose, 
 admired for his preeminent ability; as a man, he was just 
 and honorable in his dealings with his fellow man, broad 
 in his sympathies, magnificent in his generosity, hon- 
 ored for his simplicity and sincerity, esteemed for the
 
 Life and Reviinisce?ices. 
 
 55 
 
 truth and nobility of his character, and loved for the 
 sweetness, gentleness and beauty of his sunny nature. 
 '• Take him for all in all, he was a man." 
 His earthly eareer is ended : his record of achievement 
 is closed, but his name is graven deeply in the hearts of 
 grateful thousands, who will cherish his memory and 
 recall him with feelings of gratitude and pleasure. It is 
 difficult to estimate the value of such a man to his gen- 
 eration. It was his happy mission to add to the pleasure 
 of his fellow inen, and who can calculate the worth of him 
 who smooths the wrinkled brow and wreathes with 
 smiles the careworn features of overtaxed and suffering 
 humanity.' If it be true that the man who creates a 
 laugh is a public benefactor, how great is Boston's debt 
 to William Warren } Apart from the pleasure he gave to 
 thousands of theatre-goers, his influence on the dramatic 
 art of his day was incalculably great. Honored and re- 
 spected by the j'ounger members of his profession, he 
 was to them an inspiration and a guide, and, as a promi- 
 nent dramatic critic once remarked, to his constant pres- 
 ence, more than to any other cause, may be attributed 
 the exceptionally active interest which all grades of 
 society in Boston, especially the more intellectual classes, 
 have for a long time taken in dramatic art. The follow- 
 ing estimate of Mr. Warren as an actor, made by Mr. 
 Henry A. Clapp of this city, in an exhaustive article 
 published in 1882, is so just and accurate, and will com- 
 mend it>elf so well to every admirer of the great come- 
 dian, that it may well be given a place here. 
 
 MR. warren's STVLIC 
 
 as a dramatic artist is so broad and full as to be exceed- 
 ingly hard to describe. I)e\-oid of eccentricities and ex-
 
 56 
 
 William Warrev. 
 
 travajjances it lacks, like a perfectly propoi'tioned build- 
 ing those salient peculiarities Avhich at once catch even 
 the unobservant eye. A deformed cripple can be much 
 more easily depicted than an Apollo. To his professional 
 ■work he has brought the true plastic temperament of the 
 actor, a rich native sense of humor, the power of keen 
 and delicate observation, an absolute sense of propor- 
 tion, a strong educated intelligence, varied culture, and 
 tihat devoted love for his art which has made unresting 
 industrv mere delight. The flower of all these gifts and 
 virtues is a style of acting which unites exceptional vivid- 
 ness, force, sensibility and effectiveness with a fine reserve 
 and an unfailing observance of the modesty of nature. 
 An exquisitely exact adaptation of means to ends, sup- 
 plemented by precise knowledge of the need of every 
 moment, is Mr. Warren's most distinguishing trait; but 
 there is nothing mechanical in his practices, no observa- 
 ble interval between intent and result; on the contrary, 
 his playing shows that perfect infusion of thought 
 and act which makes analysis of his art impossible 
 until his art has first wrought its due effect upon the 
 feelings of the spectator. The two best known ac- 
 tors who best illustrated the artistic value of the nobler 
 form of intelligence, were Adelaide Neilson and William 
 Warren. Each of them stood for dramatic knowledge 
 and training as against dramatic charlatanism ; and the 
 signal success of each is proof that the public is by no 
 means without the better power of discrimination. 
 
 His generous culture, besides fulfilling the great func- 
 tions of refining and enlarging his style, made his play- 
 ing a positive source of pleasure by its perfection of de- 
 tail. His enunciation of English was most clean and 
 pure, his pronunciation elegantly correct, while his
 
 Life and Roniniscences. 
 
 57 
 
 French Avas thoroughly agreeable to Paris-trained ears as 
 ■well as to those brought up "in the school of Stratford- 
 atte-Bowe." Next to the fine precision and justness 
 which characterize Mr. Warren's style, the versatility of 
 his power denotes his distinction as an artist. His range 
 as a comedian is. as we said above, simply unequalled. 
 and to the interpretation of every variety of character he 
 brings that exquisite sensibility and clearness of insight, 
 that mobility of nature and fulness of understanding 
 which make his work vital, natural and satisfying. For 
 pathos his gift is scarcely less remarkable than for humor, 
 the touch showing at times perhaps not his greatest 
 facility, but the method being alwavs imaginative and 
 the feeling pure and genuine. Nor is it upon the deep 
 and broad lines only that Mr. Warren excels. In the art 
 of swift and sublime insinuation, in the display of mixed 
 or conflicting emotions, he has no rival upon our stage. 
 
 One of the greatest, if not the greatest, artists in the line 
 of make-up we ever had on our Boston stage was unquest- 
 ionably William Warren. In this, as in matter of costume, 
 he was well-nigh perfect. Of the many parts he played 
 in this city — something like 500 — no two were made up 
 alike. Each was a distinct and separate creation of his 
 own. It would seem almost impossible that so much 
 variety could be given to the human countenance. 
 
 " But by the mighty actor brought, 
 Illusions perfect triumphs come," 
 
 and in his illusions Mr. Warren was indeed "the mighty 
 actor." 
 
 With only the possible exception of Joseph Jefferson, 
 William Warren was the foremost comedian of the age 
 in which he lived.
 
 58 
 
 William Warren. 
 
 On Saturday afternoon and evening, Oct. 28, 1SS2, Mr. 
 Warren observed the 50th anniversary of his adoption of 
 tlie stage. The occasion was a double-benefit entertain- 
 ment. All Boston assembled to greet and honor the 
 veteran comedian. At both entertainments the theatre 
 was crowded. " Seldom, if ever, has a company more 
 thoroughly representative of Boston's best society been 
 gathered at a thetitrical performance. It included men of 
 all professions, not excluding the clergy, prominent re- 
 presentatives of the business community and handsomely 
 dressed women, most of the habitues of the theatre and 
 many who are rarely seen there, while the large propor- 
 tion of gray-headed men was very noticeable to any one 
 occupying a sightly position in the balcony. With few 
 exceptions the gentlemen were in evening dress, and thus 
 the showy toilettes of the ladies were given their appro- 
 priate back-ground of sombre elegance." 
 
 This testimony was the signal for Mr. Warren's retire- 
 ment from the stage. By half a century of honest work 
 he had won an honorable retirement, and at the close of 
 the season he permanently withdrew from public life. 
 His last appearance on any stage was at the Boston 
 Museum, on Saturday night. May 12, 1883, as Old Eccles 
 in " Caste." There was no formal leave-taking, no 
 speeches, no flourish of any sort : not even an announce- 
 ment that this was a farewell, and it may not have 
 been intended as such. But, though a silent one, it 
 proved to be a real one, and the public that had so long 
 known, respected and even loved him saw him not again 
 in his accustomed place. 
 
 His days since that time have been passed in cjuiet and 
 peaceful enjoyment, with the respect of all and with the 
 warm regard of many.
 
 Life and Remitiiscences. 
 
 59 
 
 Mr. Warren's steadfast adherence to the comparatively 
 uneventful life of a stock actor in Boston, with its moder- 
 ate rewards, in respect both of fortune and of renown, is 
 often mentioned as an interesting indication of the pecu- 
 liar reserve and modesty of his nature. But its value to 
 this citj has not so often been the subject of comment. 
 Our debt is, nevertheless, ver^^ great. To a man of his 
 temperament, the conditions have been favorable, for in 
 this quiet corner, under the warm sun of steady popular 
 and critical favor, his powers developed freely, equally 
 and naturally, suffering neither the violent chills nor the 
 furious fervors during professional life and uncramped by 
 the narrow money-catching theories which belittle the 
 orbits of most of our stars. The result of this was that, 
 in Mr. Warren, we had constantly before our eyes a true 
 and thorough artist, approaching ever nearer and nearer 
 to ideal perfection. Aside from the pleasure which he 
 thus directly ministered, he unconsciously educated an 
 unconscious public in dramatic judgment, while the artist 
 and his methods were the instruction, criterion and in- 
 spiration of the men and women of his own profession. 
 The worth of such a player to the dramatic taste of a city 
 is incalculable, and to Mr. Warren's constant presence, 
 more than to any other cause, is to be attributed the 
 exceptionally active interest which all grades of society 
 in Boston, and especially the more intellectual classes, 
 have taken in the dramatic art. 
 
 A just and high appreciation of Mr. Warren has never 
 been limited to Boston. The connoisseurs — the real 
 " knowers " of acting — in every city of the United States, 
 and the better-informed of our English visitors, have 
 often made pilgrimages to Boston to do our comedian 
 honor and themselves delight.
 
 6o 
 
 William Warren. 
 
 FUNERAL OF WILLIAM WARREN. 
 
 THE SOLEMN SERVICE IN TRINITY CHURCH. 
 
 A Great Floral Display. 
 
 A DISTINGUISHED ATTENDANCE. 
 
 Trinity Cliurch presented a striking funeral aspect to- 
 day, at noon, the occasion being the observance of the 
 last rites of the church over the remains of William 
 Warren, the distinguished comedian. For hours before 
 the opening of the doors, the arrangement of the numer- 
 ous floral tributes that came pouring in from professional 
 and society friends was in quiet progress, nearly every 
 artist in the city having part in making the beautiful ob- 
 jects in their charge. At 1 1. 15 the great vestibule portals 
 were swung open, and the seats not assigned to mourners 
 were quickly occupied, principally by ladies of middle and 
 advanced age. When the service began, hundreds were 
 standing in the aisles and galleries. The scene, apart 
 from its solemnity was an exceedingly attractive one, all 
 the wealth of public and private conservatories being lav- 
 ished on the display. The whole altar front contained a 
 numerous array of flowers in ever^' conceivable design 
 appropriate to a public funeral. Prominent among the 
 offerings were those of the Boston Museum Company —
 
 Life and Reminiscetices. 
 
 6i 
 
 A sheaf of ripe wheat, four feet in height, standing upon 
 a broad base composed of English ivy leaves and long 
 steamers of passion vine; H. M. Pitt, stage manager, a 
 wreath of ripe wheat, tied with a bow of white and laven- 
 der ribbon, and resting upon a pillow of ivy leaves and 
 passion vine; Mrs. H. M. Pitt (Fannie Addison) — A 
 handsome laurel wreath, two feet in diameter, having a 
 bow and long streamers of lavender ribbon; George Wil- 
 son, the comedian — A watchman's staff and crook of 
 colored pampas grass, and, suspended from the crook, an 
 old-fashioned lantern of red and white carnations, an ap- 
 propriate tribute to the inimitable '• Dogberry ;" manager 
 R. M. Field — An ivy wreath; little Elsie Leslie and Mas- 
 ter 'I'ommy Russell each a mound of pampas plumes, 
 lillies and asters. 
 
 Conspicuous also was a tribute from Henry Irving — a 
 large base of English ivy. exotic foliage and passion- 
 vine streamers, bearing a book in Mabel Morrison and Cor- 
 nelia Cook roses, white orchids, lillies of the valley and 
 ferns, and across the face, in purple violets, the word 
 " Shakspeare." From beneath the cover fell a book-mark 
 of lavender rilibon, bearing the inscription, " A well- 
 graced actor." 
 
 Other offerings were those of W. J. Florence. Stand- 
 ing wreath of English ivy, five feet in height, resting 
 on a base of passion vines, Jacqueminot and Cornelia 
 Cook roses; one side a bunch of Nyphetos roses, tied with 
 a bow of Lavender satin ribbon; Edward Harrigan — A 
 tablet of Englisii ivy. bearing an open book of white 
 carnations, with the word " Finis " in violets, a bunch of 
 different colored r<jses, tied with lavender ribbon, and upon 
 a card is inscribed, " From a brother actor"; N. C. Good- 
 win, ]r. — A large pillow of a variety of exotic plants, and
 
 62 
 
 IVUliam IFarren. 
 
 upon it a book of Njphetos roses and orchids, with the 
 following inscription in violets: "This was the noblest 
 Roman of them all," at one corner of the book a bunch of 
 American Beauties, tied with lavender satin ribbon. 
 
 The design ordered by J. H. McVicker of Chicago was 
 in the form of a broken wreath of English ivy, passion 
 flowers and lillies of the valley, cut in twain by a sickle 
 composed of American Beauty roses ; the base was a mass 
 of ripe wheat and orchids; and that of Henderson & 
 Meade of the Chicago Opera House was a large pillow of 
 foliage, across which rested a broken column composed of 
 roses, white violets, orchids and lilies of the valley. 
 
 Among the private tributes were a wreath of laurel 
 with two sheaves of wheat, from Mr. John Gilbert; a 
 wreath of laurel with wheat, bound in purple ribbon, from 
 Annie M. Clarke; a sheaf of wheat and a buckle of tube 
 roses and pinks, from Edwin and Agnes Arden; a cross of 
 roses, from Mr. Warren's sister, Mrs. J. B. Rice of Chi- 
 cago ; a wreath of autuinn leaves, from Mrs. Fred W. 
 Paine of Boston, and Mrs. Dunlap Hopkins of New York, 
 nieces of Mr. Warren; a bouquet of wild flowers, from 
 Hon. and Mrs. Leopold Morse; a fine arrangement of 
 white roses, fern leaves and maidenhair, from Annie Pix- 
 ley; a long palm, tied with roses and satin ribbon in white, 
 from Mrs. S. L. Clark; a shenf of wheat, "To my dear 
 old friend for many years," from Flora Mason; Cornelia 
 Cook roses bound in satin, from Sol Smith Russell; a 
 cross of roses from Mrs. Thomas Barry; and a large 
 anchor af ivy and wheat, from Mr. John Stetson. 
 
 There were no services at the house, but the relatives 
 and a few other mourners who had assembled at Miss 
 Fisher's house arrived at the church at noon. After a 
 moment's delay in the vestibule, Rev. Dr. Phillips Brooks
 
 /'/lO/o hy Ciiiilii. 
 
 Alberiijpe: Forbe* Co. 
 
 HEK'K' VVKIOKL, 
 
 -I.N- 
 
 "MY SON."
 
 Life and Reminiscences. 
 
 walked up the aisle, reading the customary selection from 
 the Episcopal service. Immediately behind the cothn were 
 the following-named pall-bearers: Col. Henry Lee, John 
 Gilbert, C. W. Couldock, Charles Barron. C. Leslie Allen, 
 Nathan Appleton, ex-^Layor Samuel A. Green, Eugene 
 Tompkins, Hon. B. P. Cheney, and Joseph Proctor. 
 
 The principal mourners who followed the pall-bearers 
 up the aisle were Mrs. J. B, Rice of Chicago, Mr. Warren's 
 sister, who led the procession on the arm of her son-in-law, 
 Mr. George L. Dunlap of the same citj-; Mrs. George L. 
 Dunlap. Mrs. Dunlap Hopkins. Mrs. Orson Smith, Miss 
 Emma Marble, all nieces of Mi. Warren; Mr. and Mrs. 
 Joseph Jefferson, with their sons, Charles and Joseph. 
 There were a few other relatives and Mrs. Trevill. 
 
 The service was the simple Episcopal burial service; 
 the musical selections consisted of an organ voluntar}-, 
 and the singing by the church quartet of the burial chant, 
 and the hymns "• Abide with me" and " Come, Ye Dis- 
 consolate," the selection last named being sung as the 
 body was carried down the aisle at the close of the service. 
 After the immediate mourners had left the church, a large 
 number of those present went up to the altar to see the 
 floral tributes, and the steps and sidewalk in front of the 
 church were crowded with those who desired to see the 
 noted people present, a large number also gathering at 
 the side door to see the flowers brought out. 
 
 In the vast congregation were the following named : 
 Judge ('harles Devens of the Supreme Judicial Court, 
 Chief Justice Brighain of the .Supreme Court, Dr. Oliver 
 Wendell Holmes, Hon. Leopold Morse, Thomas Mack, 
 Hon. John I"'. .Andrew, Wyzeman Marshall. Mayor O'Brien, 
 R. M. P'ield, Miss Annie M. Clarke, Mrs. Lawrence Barrett, 
 Dr. Henry G.Clark, Howard M. Tick nor, Robert B. Brigham.
 
 64 
 
 William Warren. 
 
 Hiram Sluirtleff, Eugene Tompkins, Win. II. Emerj, 
 Col. Henry G. Parker, Benjamin E. Woolf, Chas. A. Garey, 
 Prof. J. W. Churchill, Major Charles W. Stevens, Thomas 
 
 B. Winchester, John W. Ryan, Captain John C. Wyman, 
 W. T. W. Ball, Nat. Jones, Jas. H. Mead, Frank J. Carney, 
 Henry E. Dixey, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Isherwood, Q^iincy 
 Kilby, E. N. Catlin, John J. McNally, John B. Mason, 
 John F. Morris, E. L. Davenport, D. J. Maguinness, B. F. 
 Tryon, Miss Kate Ryan, Miss Agnes Ethel Daly, Miss Susie 
 Mason, Miss Lizzie Murphy, James Nolan, T. L. Coleman, 
 Geo. M. Hyde, J. R. Weeks, N. Fairclough, P. J. Guerin, 
 
 C. S. Abbe, Herbert Pattee, J. R. Pitman, John Witherell, 
 Nehemiah Leighton, Louis Bohner, Wm. P. Prescott, 
 Joseph Sullivan, Frank Goodwin and J. Frank Hilliker. 
 Mr. H. A. M'Glenen was chief usher and was assisted by 
 Wm. A. Blossom, John T. Barrington and Ernest Gregg 
 of the Museum, Stage Manager L. J. McCarthy and Napier 
 Lothian of the Boston Theatre, and B. P. Cheney, Jr. 
 
 At the close of the service the remains were taken 
 to Mt. Auburn Cemetery for burial. There was no service 
 at the grave, and only the relatives and chief mourners 
 followed the remains to the cemeterv. 
 
 AT WARREN'S FUNERAL. 
 
 As from the portal of the church 
 They carried him we loved so well, 
 
 A gentle breeze the leaves bestirred, 
 One parted — at my feet it fell. 
 
 I pickeil it up — the beauteous thing 
 Which grew to ornament his bier, 
 
 I'll keep thee always as a gem 
 Whose meaning is a lesson clear. 
 
 In my small sphere to try to act 
 As well as our great friend now gone, 
 
 Whose memory will always cheer, 
 As davs and davs lead on and on. 
 
 E.
 
 Life and Reminiscences. 
 
 65 
 
 TRIBUTES TO WILLIAM WARREN. 
 
 " THE NEW YORK IIERALD's " TRIBUTE. 
 
 Mr. William Warren has left none but pleasant memo- 
 ries behind him. Neither a blazing comet nor a fixed 
 star of the first magnitude, he nevertheless gave more 
 genuine pleasure to larger audiences than most actors of 
 his day or of any day. Warren was both a student and 
 a gentleman. Genial to the verv edge of conviviality, he 
 never crossed the line beyond which conviviality becomes 
 dissipation. A fine conversationalist, with an inex- 
 haustible fund of anecdote and reminiscence, a loyal 
 lover of the best authors in many departments of litera- 
 ture, beside that in which he made himself famous, he 
 won the respect of a large circle of friends and enjoyed 
 the willing admiration of the community at large. In 
 his earlier days he had heavy responsibilities. The death 
 of his father, who lost a very considerable fortune, threw 
 upon him the support of his family. With a leaning 
 toward a commercial life, he was driven by his exigency 
 to seek some remunerative employment at once, and 
 chose the footlights, where he achieved immediate suc- 
 cess. With a traveling troupe he wandered through the 
 West, — then in the thirties — rough, rugged as a fron- 
 tiersman's life. He acted in barns, school houses, sheds, 
 anywhere and everywhere, but always with sincerity 
 of purpose. Not ambitious, but dilfident and retiring, 
 he cared less for the brilliancy of a starring tour than 
 for the comforts and leisure of a permanent home. 
 Boston took liini to her heart 40 years ago, gave him all
 
 66 
 
 William Warren. 
 
 he asked for, fame and a generous income, and there he 
 has lived and there he died. William Warren believed in 
 his profession, in its value and dignity as a factor of our 
 social life. lie Avas as honest as he was comical. Larger 
 praise is impossible, as the uproarious merriment of his 
 audiences fully attests. He never apologized for being 
 an actor, but proved that the art to which he devoted his 
 life was consistent with the virtues we are called upon to 
 practise. Both as man and comedian he will be long 
 remembered, and not many can fill the place he has left 
 vacant. 
 
 MR. WILLIAM WIXTER'S TRIBUTE 
 
 on the occasion of the testimonial to John Gilbert, on 
 the 50th anniversary of his first appearance on the stage, 
 may be applied with equal fitness in speaking of the 
 quality of Mr. W^arren's art: " ITpon the motives and 
 principles which have governed his long, prosperous, 
 exemplary and blameless career, and upon the many as- 
 pects of contemplation which it suggests, there is room 
 for much reflection. The long annals of the British 
 stage are at once opened the moment we begin to review 
 his great achievements, to analyze his art and to consider 
 his professional rank. Qiiin, Dowton, Munden, Liston, 
 Reeves, Fan-en, Burton, Blake, Hackett, Burke and Ba>s 
 are some of the renowned names which at once start up 
 in imagination or remembrance as the ancestry or 
 brotherhood of this remarkable man. Upon John Gil- 
 bert and William Warren — names worthy to be written 
 side by side in the book of fame, and names that alwaj-s 
 stir a pulse of gladness in the heart — rests the weight of 
 all the fine learning, rich humor, quaint character and 
 exquisite grace, which by these old masters were garnered
 
 Life and Reminiscences. 
 
 67 
 
 up in the finesf moulds of method and tradition that are 
 possessed by the stage. When these two actors shall 
 have passed away, we know not where — in their pecu- 
 liar line — a successor to them may be found; we ' know 
 not where is that promethean heat which can their light 
 relume.' " 
 
 MR. GEORGE W. WILSON's TRIBUTE. 
 
 Mr. Warren was a man who was a great example to all 
 those about him, because he was so conscientious in the 
 performance of his duty. No matter what the time was 
 for rehearsal, he was always on hand. Circumstances that 
 might have led even younger people to shirk their obliga- 
 tions in that regard, had no such influence upon him, and 
 you would constantly find him setting the good example 
 of being always on hand and always to be depended on. 
 He was an extremely generous-hearted man. I have al- 
 ways entertained for him the highest feelings of reverence 
 and respect, not only as an artist, but as a thorough gen- 
 tleman. Coming in and playing a line of parts under- 
 neath him, and sometimes playing parts that he had played, 
 he would, instead of giving you the cold shoulder, always 
 give good advice : and if you did anything well he was 
 always the first to speak of it. He commended me a great 
 deal, I know, and often went out of his way to show his 
 pleasure, for he was so thoroughly wrapped up in his art 
 that it was as much gratification to him to see others per- 
 fect themselves as to do so himself. 
 
 I was associated with him about ten years. In almost 
 any business or profession jealousies are liable to arise. 
 This is no truer of the dramatic profession tiian of any 
 other which brings a person before the public, and where 
 the commendation of the pubh'c is desired. Mr. Warren
 
 68 
 
 Willia7n Warren. 
 
 did not know the meaning of the word jealousy. He was 
 very companionable, excellent company and a magnificent 
 story-teller. In his story-telling he would say : "You pos- 
 sibly have heard that old story," and then he would go on 
 and tell it; but it was invariably new to his listeners. You 
 never could mention a subject but what he could always 
 give an appropriate quotation, and follow it up with an 
 anecdote or story. He was perfectly wonderful in that 
 regard. Mr. Warren always seemed a little sensitive 
 about playing young parts as he grew a little older, and 
 was only too glad to have some one else play them. 
 Sometimes he would go out of his way to give you a 
 chance in a part that he wished to discard, thus show- 
 ing that his chief desire was to perfect everybody and 
 elevate the profession as much as he could. This is em- 
 phasized by the fact that his greatest delight after leaving 
 the theatre in his last days was to visit other theatres and 
 witness other performances. 
 
 He was an excellent French, Latin and Greek scholar, 
 and if you spoke to him about certain words or phrases 
 he would never say positively " I am sure it is so and so," 
 but he would always reply, "I think it is so and so" ; but 
 he was always correct. He was a splendid listener, and a 
 most appreciative one; there was no hypocrisy about him. 
 
 He was a magnificent speaker, and the speech that he 
 made at his benefit was most excellent. Up to the close 
 of his career upon the stage he showed no e\ idence of 
 declining power. "In giving advice, Mr. Warren would 
 not say right out. "You had better do so and so,' but he 
 would say it in his modest way, ' Don't you think so and 
 so would be better.' But the one to whom the advice was 
 given wouldn't have to think ; he would know Mr. Warren's 
 way was better, simply by his saying so interrogatively."
 
 Life and Reviinisceiices. 
 
 69 
 
 THE BOSTON TRANSCRIPTS TRIBUTE. 
 
 " He is worthy to be one of us," was the remark re- 
 ported to be made by Rachel after an evening passed at 
 the Boston Museum. It was William Warren of whom 
 the great tragedienne spoke. What the play was cannot 
 now be recalled. This was a high compliment, for in the 
 mind of a socictaire of the Comedie Fran(;aise there can 
 be no step for the actor to take higher than that which 
 brings him on a plane wiih the dwellers in the house of 
 Moliere. Ofttimes, through the long and honorable 
 career of William Warren at the Boston Museum, the 
 thought came to the observant spectator that possibly we 
 had had so much of Mr. Warren that we had lost the 
 capacity fully to appreciate his exquisite art. It needed 
 an occasional comparison of his masterly Sir Peter 
 Teazle, or even of another Peter whose surname is Pilli- 
 coddy, with the bogus comedy work or athletic farce char- 
 acters of the plays which have, pushed Sheridan and 
 Madison Morton from the stage — there was required 
 some such comparison to discover how the comedian's 
 art was dying out, how buftbonery was taking the place 
 of wit, and obstreperous, senseless horse play that of 
 clever humor. If, then, the taste of the public demanded 
 the coarser and lower stuff, he who had so long and so 
 conscientiously served us with refined, elegant, artistic 
 work left the footlights none too soon, though that leav- 
 ing made a void that could hardly be filled. 
 
 The American stage has lost within a very few 
 years several exponents of what we call the old school of 
 acting — but which, with all its conventionalities, was 
 nearer the school of nature than is the run of acting 
 now — and William Warren's death draws the circle still
 
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